Immunoglobulin DNA cassette molecules, monobody constructs, methods of production, and methods of use therefor

ABSTRACT

Featured are DNA molecules, expression vectors, and host cells useful for creation of immunoglobulins, as well as novel immunoglobulin molecules termed monobodies. Additionally provided are methods of production of immunoglobulins, including monobodies, as well as methods of using the disclosed immunoglobulin and monobody constructs, expression vectors and host cells containing DNA encoding molecules for production of immunoglobulin and monobody proteins.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/350,166, filed Oct. 19, 2001, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/392,364, filed Jun. 26, 2002, the contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to immunoglobulin DNA cassette molecules, including novel constructs termed monobody constructs, as well as methods for producing expression vectors and host cells containing DNA cassettes and capable of producing immunoglobulin and monobody molecules. More particularly, the invention relates to DNA cassette molecules useful for creating a variety of immunoglobulin therapeutic molecules, including novel monobodies, as well as methods for producing and using such molecules.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Immunoglobulins (Igs), or antibodies, as the main effectors of humoral immunity and endogenous modulators of the immune response, have proven to be valuable molecules in clinical applications such as diagnostic, therapeutic and prophylactic purposes, as well as in research contexts. An immunoglobulin molecule is composed of four protein chains; two heavy and two light chains which must be produced, associate and correctly fold to be effectively exported from the cell. The heavy and light chains are held together covalently through disulfide bonds. The heavy chains are also covalently linked via disulfide bonds in a base portion often referred to as the constant region. This constant region is also responsible for a given immunoglobulin molecule being mutually recognizable with certain sequences found at the surface of particular cells or factors. There are five known major classes of constant regions (IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD and IgE) which determine the class, or effector function, of the immunoglobulin molecule.

The cDNA of the heavy chain is composed of a leader sequence (a signal sequence) (approximately 57 bp/19 aa) which is removed upon maturation of the protein, a variable region, VH (approximately 350 bp/115 aa), and the constant region, CH (approximately 990 bp/330 aa). The cDNA of the light chain is composed of a leader sequence (approximately 66 bp/22 aa) which is removed upon maturation of the protein; a variable region, Vκ or Vλ (approximately 350 bp/115 aa); and a constant region, Cκ or Cλ (approximately 321 bp/107 aa). The light chains covalently bind to the N-terminal Y branches of the two heavy chains. The variable regions of the heavy and light chains, approximately 110-125 amino acids in length, confer specificity of particular antigenic epitopes for a particular immunoglobulin molecule.

Although the antibody genes can be engineered to be expressed in bacteria and plants such as corn, effective expression of antibodies should be carried out using mammalian systems in order to obtain efficient mammalian post-translational modifications and folding processes required for effective assembly and secretion of functional antibody molecules. Presently used methods for production of antibodies include in vivo immunization followed by collection and processing in order to obtain purified antibody. However, such methods are limited in that they may require large amounts of antigen to produce response, and they are time-consuming processes. Furthermore, antigen may not generate effective response in the animal, and generation of therapeutically useful antibodies is questionable. Therefore the time and effort expended to produce antibodies using such present methods may not culminate in sufficient antibody production.

Additional methods for production of antibodies involve creation of expression systems for use in mammalian cells lines, such as CHO or murine myeloma cell lines. See, McCafferty, J., et al. Eds. Antibody Engineering, A Practical Approach. IRL Press, (1997). Present methods for development of antibody expression systems involve creation of a vector composed of a light chain flanked by its promoter and a poly-adenylation (polyA) region in a plasmid. Also, a heavy chain vector composed of a heavy chain construct flanked by a promoter and a polyA region is created. The promoter/insert/polyA region of the heavy chain may then alternatively be combined into the light chain vector in order to create a single vector containing both heavy and light chain molecules. In these methods, genomic DNA or mRNA of a heavy or light chain is cloned into an expression vector for use in mammalian cell lines or transgenic animals. Another method of construction includes vectors which are created wherein a framework of the immunoglobulin chain (e.g., heavy chain sequence) is inserted prior to addition of particular variable sequences as desired, such as has been disclosed and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,780,225.

Currently utilized methods of production of immunoglobulin expression systems, however, require multiple cloning steps resulting in production of only a single desired molecule. If alterations in specificity (governed by the variable region) or effector function (governed by the constant region) of the antibody are desired, re-assembly of a new light and/or heavy chain vector, followed by re-assembly of a final combined vector is required.

It thus would be desirable to provide new immunoglobulin molecule constructs useful as effectors of humoral immunity and modulators of immune responses, as well as methods for effective production of such molecules. It would be particularly desirable to provide such constructs and methods that would facilitate production of antibodies having desired specificity in comparison to methods of the prior art. It also would be desirable to provide such constructs and methods that allow for facilitated production of immunoglobulins having desired effector functions as compared to those of the prior art. Such molecules and methods preferably would be simple in construction and require straightforward assembly steps in order to obtain the desired immunoglobulins, thereby resulting in rapid generation of desired antibody molecules with comparatively little effort. Furthermore, development of a system resulting in large scale production in comparison to present methods will be beneficial for development and production of protein therapeutics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention features antibody (immunoglobulin) DNA cassette constructs useful for rapid, simple generation of desired immunoglobulin molecules. Additionally provided are vectors and host cells comprising DNA cassette constructs of the invention, as well as methods of using the constructs, vectors, and host cells for production of immunoglobulins. Compositions and methods encompassed in the present invention taken together comprise an antibody production and conversion system.

In one embodiment of the invention a DNA cassette construct comprises an immunoglobulin DNA cassette wherein the immunoglobulin cassette is a light chain immunoglobulin cassette. In another embodiment of the invention, the immunoglobulin DNA cassette is a heavy chain immunoglobulin cassette. The immunoglobulin cassette preferably comprises an immunoglobulin leader sequence operably linked to a stable immunoglobulin domain region. In an additional aspect, a DNA cassette construct further comprises a transcriptional promoter region operably linked to the leader molecule.

In another embodiment, the DNA cassette construct further comprises a poly-adenylation region operably linked to the stable immunoglobulin domain of the construct.

Preferably, the operable linkage of the immunoglobulin cassette comprises a cloning sequence, such as for example, a multiple cloning site, wherein the sequence is available for addition of further immunoglobulin domains for production of a complete immunoglobulin molecule.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, the DNA cassette molecule comprises an immunoglobulin leader sequence operably linked to an immunolglobulin constant region, wherein the operable linkage between the leader sequence and constant region includes a cloning sequence wherein a desired immunoglobulin variable region may be inserted for production of a complete immunoglobulin chain. In one aspect of the invention, the immunoglobulin chain is a heavy chain immunoglobulin molecule.

In another aspect of the invention, the immunoglobulin chain is a light chain immunoglobulin molecule. In one aspect the light chain is a kappa (κ) chain immunoglobulin. In another aspect, the light chain is a lambda (λ) chain immunoglobulin. Preferred sequences of the immunoglobulin cassettes include sequences shown in SEQ ID NO: 65, SEQ ID NO: 67, SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 73, SEQ ID NO: 75, SEQ ID NO: 77, SEQ ID NO: 79, SEQ ID NO: 81, SEQ ID NO: 66, SEQ ID NO: 68, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 72, SEQ ID NO: 74, SEQ ID NO: 76, SEQ ID NO: 78, SEQ ID NO: 80, SEQ ID NO: 82, or a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical thereto.

Further included in embodiments of the invention are expression vectors comprising immunoglobulin DNA cassette molecules. The expression vectors may comprise one or more immunoglobulin DNA cassette molecules. In one preferred aspect of the invention the expression vector comprises two immunoglobulin DNA cassette molecules, wherein one of the DNA cassette molecules is a heavy chain immunoglobulin cassette and the second is a light chain immunoglobulin cassette.

In another preferred aspect of the invention, an expression vector comprises a single immunoglobulin DNA cassette molecule. The expression vector may comprise a light chain immunoglobulin DNA cassette molecule or a heavy chain immunoglobulin DNA cassette molecule.

In additional aspects of the invention, preferred insert sequences for use in the DNA cassettes and vectors of the present invention are provided. The insert sequence may comprise any one of heavy or light chain variable domain immunoglobulin sequences, or heavy or light chain constant domain immunoglobulin sequences. Such preferred insert sequences can include nucleotide and/or protein sequences and can be selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 83, SEQ ID NO: 84, SEQ ID NO: 85, and SEQ ID NO: 86, SEQ ID NO: 87, and SEQ ID NO: 88.

Additionally provided are host cells and cell lines comprising immunoglobulin DNA cassette molecules and expression vectors of the invention, as well as methods of using such host cells for production of antibodies. In aspects of the invention, host cells can consist of a bacterial cell, a yeast cell or a mammalian cell or cell line. In a particularly preferred embodiment, host cells are mammalian cells such as a lymphocytic cell line, CHO, or COS cells.

In another embodiment of the invention, a DNA cassette construct comprises an immunoglobulin DNA cassette wherein the immunoglobulin cassette is a monobody cassette. The immunoglobulin monobody cassette preferably comprises an immunoglobulin leader sequence operably linked to a stable immunoglobulin hinge and constant domain regions. In an additional aspect, a DNA cassette construct further comprises a transcriptional promoter region operably linked to the leader molecule.

In one aspect of the invention, the immunoglobulin DNA monobody cassette is a heavy chain monobody cassette, wherein the monobody molecule comprises an immunoglobulin heavy chain comprising leader sequence operably linked to an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region attached to a hinge region, then further attached to a heavy chain constant region, wherein the heavy chain constant region comprises a IgG3 hinge and IgG3 CH1 domains linked to IgG1 CH2 and CH3 regions. Preferred sequences of the immunoglobulin cassettes include sequences shown in SEQ ID NO: 105, SEQ ID NO: 106, or a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical thereto.

In another aspect of the invention, the immunoglobulin DNA monobody cassette is a light chain monobody cassette, wherein the DNA cassette molecule comprises an immunoglobulin leader sequence operably linked to a stable monobody region, wherein the operable linkage between the leader sequence and the stable monobody region includes a cloning sequence wherein a desired immunoglobulin variable region may be inserted for production of a complete extended immunoglobulin light chain molecule. In one aspect of the invention, the stable monobody region is a monobody cassette comprising an extended light chain comprising a leader sequence operably linked to an immunoglobulin light chain constant region attached via a linker sequence to a hinge region, then attached to a heavy chain constant region. In a preferred aspect, the hinge is an IgG1 hinge. In another aspect, the heavy chain constant region comprises IgG1 CH2 and CH3 domains. In still another aspect, the hinge is an IgG3 hinge. Preferred sequences of the immunoglobulin cassettes include sequences shown in SEQ ID NO:107, SEQ ID NO:108, SEQ ID NO:109, SEQ ID NO:110, or a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical thereto.

In yet another aspect, the invention includes vectors comprising a monobody cassette constructs. In one aspect, the invention comprises a vector comprising an extended light chain monobody cassette and a heavy chain monobody cassette. In a preferred embodiment, a monobody vector comprises, an extended light chain and a heavy chain monobody cassette, wherein the extended light chain cassette comprises a leader sequence operably linked to an immunoglobulin C kappa domain attached via a linker sequence to an IgG3 hinge and IgG1 CH2 and CH3 constant regions; and wherein the heavy chain cassette comprises a a heavy chain leader sequence operably linked to a constant region, wherein the heavy chain constant region comprises a IgG3 hinge and IgG3 CH1 domains linked to IgG1 CH2 and CH3 regions.

In another preferred embodiment, a monobody vector comprises, an extended light chain and a heavy chain monobody cassette, wherein the extended light chain cassette comprises a leader sequence operably linked to an immunoglobulin C kappa domain attached via a linker sequence to an IgG1 hinge and IgG1 CH2 and CH3 domains; and wherein the heavy chain cassette comprises a leader sequence operably linked to a complete intact heavy chain constant region.

Further, disclosed are methods of production of immunoglobulin DNA cassette molecules, as well as methods for production of antibodies (whether single antibodies or batteries of antibodies, as desired) utilizing the immunoglobulin DNA cassette molecules and expression vectors of the present invention. One preferred method includes production of a battery of antibodies having identical antigen specificity, with variable effector function. An additional preferred method includes production of a battery of antibodies having identical effector function, with variable antigen specificities.

Additionally disclosed are methods of production of immunoglobulin monobody molecules utilizing the monobody cassette molecules and expression vectors of the present invention.

Other aspects and embodiments of the invention are discussed infra.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts an antibody production and conversion system.

FIG. 2 depicts structure of antibody cassette molecules and insert molecules;

FIG. 3 depicts construction of an antibody heavy chain cassette vector and the cloning process used to combine the nVHL sequence with a heavy chain constant region in a single chain expression vector;

FIG. 4 depicts construction of an antibody kappa chain cassette vector and the cloning process used to combine the nVKL sequence with a CKappa light chain constant regions in a single chain expression vector;

FIG. 5 depicts construction of an antibody lambda chain cassette vector and the cloning process used to combine the nVLL sequence with a CLambda light chain constant region in a single chain expression vector;

FIG. 6 depicts construction process for transfer of heavy chain cassettes and light chain cassettes into a single combination immunoglobulin DNA cassette vector. For creation of combined vectors, the heavy chain cassette, including promoter, nVHL, IgG constant region and polyadenylation region, can be cloned as a Bgl II/Bam HI fragment into the Bam HI site of the vector with the light chain cassette. Bgl II and Bam HI have cohesive ends and both sites are lost upon ligation.

FIG. 7 depicts the structure of the complete combination heavy and light chain immunoglobulin DNA cassette antibody expression vector;

FIG. 8 depicts the cloning process for incorporation of desired variable sequences (VH and VK) into the combination heavy and light chain immunoglobulin DNA cassette antibody expression vector;

FIG. 9 depicts demonstrative results of antibody production levels of recombinant cells generated using the antibody production and conversion system of the present invention;

FIG. 10 depicts proposed structure of monobody constructs in comparison with traditional antibody structure;

FIG. 11 depicts structural constructs and comparison of hinge regions of proposed monobody constructs;

FIG. 12 depicts construction of an antibody heavy chain cassette vector and the cloning process used to combine the nVHL sequence with a heavy chain constant region in a single chain expression vector;

FIG. 13 depicts construction of an antibody heavy chain cassette vector and the cloning process used to combine the nVHL sequence with a heavy chain constant region in a single chain expression vector; and

FIG. 14 depicts demonstrative results of monobody binding activity to monocytes expressing target antigen 1D9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to immunoglobulin DNA cassette molecules, including heavy chain immunoglobulin DNA cassettes and a light chain immunoglobulin DNA cassettes useful for facilitated generation of immunoglobulin proteins and antibody production. Additionally the invention pertains to DNA insert sequences for use in the DNA cassette system.

Accordingly, various aspects of the invention relate to immunoglobulin DNA cassette molecules, nucleic acids comprising the aforesaid immunoglobulin cassette molecules, as well as vectors and host cells containing the aforesaid nucleic acid sequences. Additional aspects of the invention relate to DNA insert sequences for use with the DNA cassette molecules. Methods of producing the aforesaid DNA cassette molecules, as well as methods of using the DNA cassette molecules of the invention are also encompassed by the invention. The nucleic acid molecules, vectors, cells and methods described herein comprise an antibody production and conversion system of the present invention, depicted in FIG. 1.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood, certain terms are first defined. Additional definitions are set forth throughout the detailed description.

As used herein, the term “antibody” refers to a protein comprising at least one, and preferably two, heavy (H) chain variable regions (abbreviated herein as VH), and at least one and preferably two light (L) chain variable regions (abbreviated herein as VL). The antibody can further include heavy and light chain constant regions (abbreviated herein as CH and CL, respectively), to thereby form a heavy and light immunoglobulin chain, respectively. In one embodiment, the antibody is a tetramer of two heavy immunoglobulin chains and two light immunoglobulin chains.

As used herein, the term “immunoglobulin” refers to a protein consisting of one or more polypeptides substantially encoded by immunoglobulin genes.

As used herein, “isotype” refers to the antibody class (e.g., IgM or IgG1) that is encoded by heavy chain constant region genes.

The term “isolated nucleic acid”, as used herein is intended to refer to a nucleic acid molecule in which the nucleotide sequences including DNA cassette molecules as described herein encoding an antibody or antibody portion are free of other nucleotide sequences encoding other antibodies or antibody portions, which other sequences may naturally flank the nucleic acid in human genomic DNA. A nucleic acid is “isolated” or “rendered substantially pure” when purified away from other cellular components or other contaminants, e.g., other cellular nucleic acids or proteins, by standard techniques, including alkaline/SDS treatment, CsCl banding, column chromatography, agarose gel electrophoresis and others well known in the art. See, F. Ausubel, et al., ed. Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Greene Publishing and Wiley Interscience, New York (1987).

As used herein, “DNA cassette” refers to nucleic acid sequences which have been constructed in such a way so as to facilitate addition of the cassette to additional vector sequences. Additionally, the DNA cassettes of the invention facilitate incorporation of additional sequences in operable linkage with the prepared DNA cassette sequences for preparation of desired immunoglobulin sequences, e.g., in one or two cloning steps.

A nucleic acid is “operably linked” when it is placed into a functional relationship with another nucleic acid sequence. For instance, a promoter or enhancer is operably linked to a coding sequence if it affects the transcription of the sequence. With respect to transcription regulatory sequences, operably linked means that the DNA sequences being linked are contiguous and, where necessary to join two protein coding regions, contiguous and in reading frame.

The term “vector”, as used herein, is intended to refer to a nucleic acid molecule capable of transporting another nucleic acid to which it has been linked. One type of vector is a “plasmid”, which refers to a circular double stranded DNA loop into which additional DNA segments may be ligated.

The term “recombinant host cell” (or simply “host cell”), as used herein, is intended to refer to a cell into which a recombinant expression vector has been introduced. It should be understood that such terms are intended to refer not only to a particular subject cell, but to the progeny of such a cell. Because certain modifications may occur in succeeding generations due to either mutation or environmental influences, such progeny may not, in fact, be identical to the parent cell, but are still included within the scope of the terms “recombinant host cell” or “host cell” as used herein.

As used herein, the term “substantially identical,” or “substantially homologous”) is used herein to refer to a first amino acid or nucleotide sequence that contains a sufficient number of identical or equivalent (e.g., with a similar side chain, e.g., conserved amino acid substitutions) amino acid residues or nucleotides to a second amino acid or nucleotide sequence such that the first and second amino acid or nucleotide sequences have similar activities. In the case of antibodies, the second antibody has the same specificity and has at least 50% of the affinity of the same.

As used herein, the term “assembly characteristics” refers to one or more of the following properties: (1) dimer or tetramer formation; (2) percentage of properly folded antibody, e.g., formation of correct disulfide bonds; (3) binding affinity and/or specificity; (4) yield of functional antibody, as measured by, e.g., binding affinity; or (5) high levels of antibody production, e.g., at least from about 10 μg/ml, preferably, 100 μg/ml, more preferably 800 μg/ml, and yet more preferably 1.5 mg/ml or higher production levels.

As used herein, “specific binding” refers to the property of the antibody: (1) to bind to a predetermined antigen with an affinity of at least 1×10⁷ M⁻¹, and (2) to preferentially bind to the predetermined antigen with an affinity that is at least two-fold greater than its affinity for binding to a non-specific antigen (e.g., BSA, casein) other than the predetermined antigen. The phrases “an antibody recognizing an antigen” and “an antibody specific for an antigen” are used interchangeably herein with the term “an antibody which binds specifically to an antigen”.

The term “glycosylation pattern” is defined as the pattern of carbohydrate units that are covalently attached to a protein, more specifically to an immunoglobulin protein. In some embodiments, the glycosylation pattern of an antibody produced using the present methods can be characterized as being substantially similar to glycosylation patterns of naturally occurring antibodies. In other embodiments, the glycosylation pattern may be altered (e.g., reduced or increased) by recombinant or chemical methods. For example, residues which are part of the N-glycosylation motif, Asn-X-Ser, wherein X can be any amino acid residue except proline (e.g., asparagine residue at position 297 in the human IgG constant region) can be replaced, e.g., using mutagenesis techniques, with another amino acid that cannot be glycosylated, e.g., alanine. Such modified constant regions have a reduced number of glycosylation sites, and in some embodiments, can be aglycosylated.

The term “naturally-occurring” as used herein as applied to an object refers to the fact that an object can be found in nature. For example, a polypeptide (e.g., an antibody) or polynucleotide sequence that is present in an organism (including viruses) that can be isolated from a source in nature and which has not been intentionally modified by man in the laboratory is naturally-occurring.

The term “antigen-binding fragment” of an antibody (or simply “antibody portion,” or “fragment”), as used herein, refers to one or more fragments of a full-length antibody that retain the ability to specifically bind to an antigen. Examples of binding fragments encompassed within the term “antigen-binding fragment” of an antibody include (i) a Fab fragment, a monovalent fragment consisting of the VL, VH, CL and CH1 domains; (ii) a F(ab)₂ fragment, a bivalent fragment comprising two Fab fragments linked by a disulfide bridge at the hinge region; (iii) a Fd fragment consisting of the VH and CH1 domains; (iv) a Fv fragment consisting of the VL and VH domains of a single arm of an antibody, (v) a dAb fragment (Ward et al., (1989) Nature 341:544-546), which consists of a VH domain; and (vi) an isolated complementarity determining region (CDR).

The terms “monoclonal antibody” or “monoclonal antibody composition” as used herein refer to a preparation of antibody molecules of single molecular composition. A monoclonal antibody composition displays a single binding specificity and affinity for a particular epitope.

As used herein, a “chimeric immunoglobulin heavy chain” refers to those immunoglobulin heavy chains having a portion of the immunoglobulin heavy chain, e.g., the variable region, at least 85%, preferably, 90%, 95%, 99% or more identical to a corresponding amino acid sequence in an immunoglobulin heavy chain from a particular species, or belonging to a particular antibody class or type, while the remaining segment of the immunoglobulin heavy chain (e.g., the constant region) being substantially identical to the corresponding amino acid sequence in another immunoglobulin molecule. For example, the heavy chain variable region has a sequence substantially identical to the heavy chain variable region of an immunoglobulin from one species (e.g., a “donor” immunoglobulin, e.g., a rodent immunoglobulin), while the constant region is substantially identical to the constant region of another species immunoglobulin (e.g., an “acceptor” immunoglobulin, e.g., a human immunoglobulin).

As used herein, the term “humanized” or “CDR-grafted” light chain variable region refers to an immunoglobulin light chain comprising one or more CDR's, or having an amino acid sequence which differs by no more than 1 or 2 amino acid residues to a corresponding one or more CDR's from one species, or antibody class or type, e.g., a “donor” immunoglobulin (e.g., a non-human (usually a mouse or rat) immunoglobulin, or an in vitro generated immunoglobulin); and a framework region having an amino acid sequence about 85% or higher, preferably 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical to a corresponding part of an acceptor immunoglobulin framework from a different species, or antibody class or type, e.g., a naturally-occurring immunoglobulin framework (e.g., a human framework) or a consensus framework.

Typically, the immunoglobulin providing the CDR's is called the “donor” and the immunoglobulin providing the framework, e.g., an immunoglobulin DNA cassette, is called the “acceptor.” In one embodiment, the donor immunoglobulin is a non-human (e.g., rodent), or an in vitro generated immunoglobulin, e.g., an immunoglobulin generated by phage display. The acceptor framework is a naturally-occurring (e.g., a human) framework or a consensus sequence, or a sequence about 85% or higher, preferably 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical thereto.

The light chain variable region may have replacements in only one or more of the CDR's, and thus will be referred to herein as a “CDR-grafted” light variable chain. In other embodiments, it may include framework substitutions, in addition to the CDR substitutions, which will be referred to herein as a “humanized” light chain variable region.

A “hybrid antibody molecule” refers to an antibody, or an antigen-binding fragment thereof (e.g., a Fab, F(ab′)₂, Fv or a single chain Fv fragment), which includes a humanized, or CDR-grafted, light chain variable region, and a chimeric heavy chain variable region. Each heavy and light chain variable region of a hybrid antibody may, optionally, include a corresponding constant, which can be identical or similar (e.g., about 85% or higher, preferably 90%, 95%, 99% or higher) to the acceptor constant regions (e.g., human immunoglobulin, or a constant region from yet another species, or antibody class or type). The term “hybrid antibody” or “hybrid antibody molecule” does not encompass a typical chimeric antibody, e.g., an antibody whose light and heavy chains are obtained from immunoglobulin variable and constant region genes belonging to different species or class, or a typical humanized antibody, e.g., an antibody whose light and heavy chain CDR's belong to different species or class.

In addition to the above discussion and the various references to existing literature teachings, reference is made to standard textbooks of molecular biology that contain definitions and methods and means for carrying out basic techniques encompassed by the present invention. See, for example, Maniatis, et al, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York, 1982 and the various references cited therein, and in particular, Colowick et al., Methods in Enzymology Vol 152, Academic Press, Inc. (1987), the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

As described below, the process makes use of techniques which are known to those of skill in the art and can be applied as described herein to produce and identify immunoglobulin molecules of desired antigenic specificity or immunoglobulin molecules of desired effector function: the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), to amplify and clone either known molecules encoding a desired immunoglobulin molecule, or diverse cDNAs encoding antibody mRNAs found in antibody-producing tissue; mutagenesis protocols to further increase the diversity of these cDNAs; gene transfer protocols to introduce immunoglobulin genes into cultured (prokaryotic and eukaryotic) cells for the purpose of expressing them; as well as screening protocols to detect genes encoding antibodies of desired antigenic specificity.

Various aspects of the invention are described in further detail in the following subsections.

Production of Antibody Production and Conversion System

Immunoglobulin DNA cassette molecules and immunoglobulin insert molecules can be generated using art-recognized techniques for producing nucleic acid molecules comprising portions of immunoglobulin chains, as described in detail below. Immunoglobulins can be of the various isotypes, including: IgG (e.g., IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4), IgM, IgA1, IgA2, IgD, or IgE. Preferably, the antibody is an IgG isotype. The immunoglobulin molecules can be adapted to any include full-length (e.g., an IgG1 or IgG4 immunoglobulin) or alternatively can include only an antigen-binding fragment (e.g., a Fab, F(ab)₂, Fv or a single chain Fv fragment).

Nucleic Acids, Vectors and Host Cells

One aspect of the invention pertains to isolated immunoglobulin DNA cassette nucleic acids, vector and host cell compositions that can be used for recombinant expression of antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of the invention. In one embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid including an immunoglobulin DNA cassette comprising an immunoglobulin leader sequence operably linked to a stable immunoglobulin domain is provided. Preferably the leader sequence is an immunoglobulin heavy chain leader sequence linked to a constant region of a heavy chain immunoglobulin. An additional preferred embodiment includes an immunoglobulin DNA cassette wherein the leader sequence is an immunoglobulin light chain leader sequence operably linked to a light chain constant region. Preferred immunoglobulin DNA cassette molecules of the invention are depicted in FIG. 2. Preferred immunoglobulin DNA cassette nucleotide sequences can include sequences SEQ ID NO: 65, SEQ ID NO: 67, SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 73, SEQ ID NO: 75, SEQ ID NO: 77, SEQ ID NO: 79, and SEQ ID NO: 81, or a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical thereto. Preferred immunoglobulin DNA cassette nucleotide sequences can include sequences SEQ ID NO: 66, SEQ ID NO: 68, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 72, SEQ ID NO: 74, SEQ ID NO: 76, SEQ ID NO: 78, SEQ ID NO: 80, and SEQ ID NO: 82, or a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical thereto.

Preferably, the operable linkage between the leader sequence and the stable immunoglobulin domain (e.g., constant region) comprises sequences amenable to digestion using restriction endonucleases. Preferred restriction endonuclease sites engineered into the operable linkage include EcoRV, PpuMI or MfeI and BlpI or BsiWI, however, additional or alternative sites may be engineered in order to accommodate the particularly desired additional sequences used in conjunction with the DNA cassette. Methods for engineering restriction sites (e.g., site directed mutagenesis) and determination of preferred sites through sequence analyses are well known in the art. Restriction sites engineered in the linkage allow for subsequent incorporation of additional immunoglobulin sequences (e.g., variable region) such that the additional sequences are incorporated in operable linkage with the leader and stable domain (e.g., constant region) to allow production of a nucleic acid encoding a complete operable immunoglobulin molecule (e.g., cloning of the additional variable sequence remains in frame with the leader and constant region to produce nucleic acid encoding an immunoglobulin protein including leader, variable, and constant domains).

In an additional embodiment of the present invention, immunoglobulin DNA insert sequences preferable for use in conjunction with the immunoglobulin DNA cassettes are provided. Preferably, an immunoglobulin variable domain DNA sequence is isolated, wherein the 5′ and 3′ ends of the insert sequences comprise DNA sequences available for restriction endonucleases complementary to sites available in the DNA cassette. In one embodiment, immunoglobulin variable sequences are isolated using PCR techniques known in the art, wherein primer sequences are engineered to incorporate DNA restriction endonuclease sequences in the proper placement to allow operable linkage upon incorporation into the immunoglobulin DNA cassette.

The present compositions and methods of the invention are meant to further include immunoglobulin DNA cassettes wherein an immunoglobulin leader sequence is operably linked to a stable immunoglobulin variable domain, wherein an operable linkage sequence is included at the 3′ end of the variable domain to accommodate incorporation of additional sequences for use in the DNA cassette. In such preferred molecules, constant immunoglobulin insert sequences may be incorporated by methods similar to those methods of incorporation of additional sequences as described herein as well as using methods known in the art. Use of such additional DNA cassette molecules will similarly result in production of a desired nucleic acid molecule encoding an immunoglobulin molecule having the desired effector function (e.g., IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4), IgM, IgA1, IgA2, IgD, or IgE). Accordingly, one of skill in the art will comprehend the methods and compositions described herein in conjunction with methods known in the art in order to prepare and use such additional constructs in accordance with the disclosure of the present invention.

As described herein, the DNA cassette molecules as well as isolated immunoglobulin DNA insert sequences may be used for production of immunoglobulin molecules which include full-length (e.g., an IgG1 or IgG4) immunoglobulin. Alternatively the DNA cassette molecules and isolated immunoglobulin DNA insert sequences may be used to encode partial or altered immunoglobulin proteins such as an antigen-binding fragment (e.g., a Fab, F(ab)₂, Fv) or a single chain Fv fragment for example. In production of the desired molecules, the immunoglobulin DNA cassette may be altered to tailor to the requirement of the desired protein. For example, the stable immunoglobulin domain, e.g., constant region, may be truncated, mutated or constructed in such a way as to mostly eliminate the domain in order to allow for production of the desired immunoglobulin once additional insert immunoglobulin sequences are incorporated. For example, if a DNA cassette useful for preparation of Fv fragments is desired, a leader sequence may be operably linked to a stable domain comprising a minimal variable domain sequence to allow for incorporation of additional variable sequences for production of functional Fv fragments as desired.

It will be appreciated by the skilled artisan that nucleotide sequences encoding the immunoglobulin DNA cassette molecules (e.g., a leader sequence, a stable immunoglobulin domain, as well as insert sequences), can be derived from the nucleotide and amino acid sequences described in the present application or from additional sources of sequences of immunoglobulin genes known in the art using the genetic code and standard molecular biology techniques.

The nucleic acid compositions of the present invention, while often in a native sequence (except for modified restriction sites and the like), may be derived from either known isolated immunoglobulin DNA or cDNA, or mixtures may be mutated in accordance with standard techniques for production of gene sequences. For coding sequences, such mutations may affect amino acid sequence as desired. In particular, nucleotide sequences may be substantially identical to or derived from native V, D, J, or constant cDNA sequences (where “derived” indicates that a sequence is identical or modified from another sequence).

Sequences substantially identical, similar or homologous (e.g., at least about 85% sequence identity) to the sequences disclosed herein are also part of this application. In some embodiments, the sequence identity can be about 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or higher. Alternatively, substantial identity exists when the nucleic acid segments will hybridize under selective hybridization conditions (e.g., highly stringent hybridization conditions), to the complement of the strand. The nucleic acids may be present in whole cells, in a cell lysate, or in a partially purified or substantially pure form.

As used herein, the term “hybridizes under low stringency, medium stringency, high stringency, or very high stringency conditions” describes conditions for hybridization and washing. Guidance for performing hybridization reactions can be found in Current Protocols in Molecular Biology (1989) John Wiley & Sons, N.Y., 6.3.1-6.3.6, which is incorporated by reference. Aqueous and nonaqueous methods are described in that reference and either can be used. Specific hybridization conditions referred to herein are as follows: 1) low stringency hybridization conditions in 6× sodium chloride/sodium citrate (SSC) at about 45° C., followed by two washes in 0.2×SSC, 0.1% SDS at least at 50° C. (the temperature of the washes can be increased to 55° C. for low stringency conditions); 2) medium stringency hybridization conditions in 6×SSC at about 45° C., followed by one or more washes in 0.2×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 60° C.; 3) high stringency hybridization conditions in 6×SSC at about 45° C., followed by one or more washes in 0.2×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 65° C.; and preferably 4) very high stringency hybridization conditions are 0.5M sodium phosphate, 7% SDS at 65° C., followed by one or more washes at 0.2×SSC, 1% SDS at 65° C. Very high stringency conditions (4) are the preferred conditions and the ones that should be used unless otherwise specified.

Calculations of “homology” or “sequence identity” between two sequences (the terms are used interchangeably herein) are performed as follows. The sequences are aligned for optimal comparison purposes (e.g., gaps can be introduced in one or both of a first and a second amino acid or nucleic acid sequence for optimal alignment and non-homologous sequences can be disregarded for comparison purposes). In a preferred embodiment, the length of a reference sequence aligned for comparison purposes is at least 30%, preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, even more preferably at least 60%, and even more preferably at least 70%, 80%, 90%, 100% of the length of the reference sequence. The amino acid residues or nucleotides at corresponding amino acid positions or nucleotide positions are then compared. When a position in the first sequence is occupied by the same amino acid residue or nucleotide as the corresponding position in the second sequence, then the molecules are identical at that position (as used herein amino acid or nucleic acid “identity” is equivalent to amino acid or nucleic acid “homology”). The percent identity between the two sequences is a function of the number of identical positions shared by the sequences, taking into account the number of gaps, and the length of each gap, which need to be introduced for optimal alignment of the two sequences.

The comparison of sequences and determination of percent identity between two sequences can be accomplished using a mathematical algorithm. In a preferred embodiment, the percent identity between two amino acid sequences is determined using the Needleman and Wunsch ((1970) J. Mol. Biol. 48:444-453) algorithm which has been incorporated into the GAP program in the GCG software package (available at http://www.gcg.com), using either a Blossum 62 matrix or a PAM250 matrix, and a gap weight of 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, or 4 and a length weight of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. In yet another preferred embodiment, the percent identity between two nucleotide sequences is determined using the GAP program in the GCG software package (available at http://www.gcg.com), using a. NWSgapdna.CMP matrix and a gap weight of 40, 50, 60, 70, or 80 and a length weight of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. A particularly preferred set of parameters (and the one that should be used if the practitioner is uncertain about what parameters should be applied to determine if a molecule is within a sequence identity or homology limitation of the invention) are a Blossum 62 scoring matrix with a gap penalty of 12, a gap extend penalty of 4, and a frameshift gap penalty of 5. The percent identity between two amino acid or nucleotide sequences can also be determined using the algorithm of E. Meyers and W. Miller ((1989) CABIOS, 4:11-17) which has been incorporated into the ALIGN program (version 2.0), using a PAM120 weight residue table, a gap length penalty of 12 and a gap penalty of 4.

It is understood that the immunoglobulin DNA cassette molecules and immunoglobulin DNA insert molecules of the present invention may include sequences which result in antibodies that have additional conservative or non-essential amino acid substitutions, which do not have a substantial effect on antigen binding or other immunoglobulin functions.

A “conservative amino acid substitution” is one in which the amino acid residue is replaced with an amino acid residue having a similar side chain. Families of amino acid residues having similar side chains have been defined in the art. These families include amino acids with basic side chains (e.g., lysine, arginine, histidine), acidic side chains (e.g., aspartic acid, glutamic acid), uncharged polar side chains (e.g., glycine, asparagine, glutamine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, cysteine), nonpolar side chains (e.g., alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, methionine, tryptophan), beta-branched side chains (e.g., threonine, valine, isoleucine) and aromatic side chains (e.g., tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, histidine).

A “non-essential” amino acid residue is a residue that can be altered from the wild-type sequence of an antibody, without abolishing or more preferably, without substantially altering a biological activity (e.g., binding to a particular antigen), whereas an “essential” amino acid residue results in such a change.

The imunoglobulin DNA cassette molecules and/or immunoglobulin DNA insert molecules may encompass sequences wherein the amino acid sequences have an immunoglobulin sequence that differs by, e.g., at least one, two, three, four, five, ten or more amino acid residues from another sequence. As used herein, the term “differs” includes different amino acid sequences created by, e.g., deletions, insertions, or substitutions, of residues of the known amino acid sequence of a protein. “Looped” out sequences from deletions or insertions, or mismatches, are considered differences. For example, residues are counted as differences when the humanized immunoglobulin sequence results from a replacement of an amino acid residue in the acceptor immunoglobulin by another residue, e.g., a replacement of an amino acid in the acceptor for the corresponding donor residue or a more typical residue. No differences are counted when the acceptor and donor sequences have the same residue at the corresponding position.

The term “from” when used to refer to a region or sequence (e.g., a variable region or DNA cassette insert sequence) from a donor refers to synthetic, as well as recombinantly-produced sequences. The term “from” refers to biological origin or sequence relatedness.

As used herein, the term “consensus sequence” refers to the sequence formed from the most frequently occurring amino acids (or nucleotides) in a family of related sequences (See e.g., Winnaker, From Genes to Clones (Verlagsgesellschaft, Weinheim, Germany 1987). In a family of proteins, each position in the consensus sequence is occupied by the amino acid occurring most frequently at that position in the family. If two amino acids occur equally frequently, either can be included in the consensus sequence. A “consensus framework” refers to the framework region in the consensus immunoglobulin sequence.

As used herein, a more “typical” amino acid residue in an immunoglobulin refers to a residue that occurs in more than about 50% of the sequences in a representative databank. An “unusual” or “rare” amino acid residue occurs less than about 20%, typically less than 10% of the sequences. When deciding whether an amino acid in an acceptor, e.g., a human acceptor, is “rare” or “typical” among acceptor, e.g., human sequences, it is preferable to consider only those sequences present in the same subgroup as the acceptor sequence (see Kabat et al. supra).

The sequences of heavy and light chain constant region genes are known in the art. Preferably, the constant region is human, but constant regions from other species, e.g., rodent (e.g., mouse or rat), primate (macaque), camel, rabbit can also be used. Constant regions from these species are known in the art (see e.g., Kabat, E. A., et al. (1991) Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, Fifth Edition, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIH Publication No. 91-3242) and DNA fragments encompassing these regions can be obtained by standard PCR amplification. The heavy chain constant region can be an IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA, IgE, IgM or IgD constant region, but most preferably is an IgG1 constant region. For an Fab fragment heavy chain gene, the VH-encoding DNA can be operatively linked to another DNA molecule encoding only the heavy chain CH1 constant region.

In one aspect, an isolated immunoglobulin DNA cassette nucleic acid comprises a heavy chain variable leader nucleotide sequence linked to a heavy chain constant region nucleotide sequence, as depicted in FIG. 2. A heavy chain variable leader sequence can be prepared from genomic sequences using the methods described herein (see, e.g., examples). In one embodiment, heavy chain leader sequences include sequences having nucleotide sequences shown in SEQ ID NO:1, or a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical thereto. A heavy chain constant region can be prepared from genomic sequences using the methods described herein (see, e.g., Examples). Heavy chain constant region nucleotide sequences can include sequences having nucleotide sequences shown in SEQ ID NOS: 7, 15, 21, or a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical thereto. In another embodiment, the isolated immunoglobulin DNA cassette nucleic acid encodes heavy chain leader amino acid sequence linked to a heavy chain constant region amino acid sequence (depicted in FIG. 2). Heavy chain leader amino acid sequences can include sequences having a amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, or a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical thereto. A heavy chain constant region amino acid sequence can include sequences having an amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 8, 16, 22, or a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical thereto.

In another embodiment, a heavy chain constant region can be prepared from sequences using the methods described herein (see, e.g., examples), wherein the constant region has an FcR mutation which modulates effector function. Heavy chain constant region nucleotide sequences can include sequences having nucleotide sequences shown in SEQ ID NOS: 9, 17, 23, or a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical thereto. Another embodiment includes heavy chain constant regions wherein the sequence has an FcR mutation which modulates effector function. Heavy chain constant region amino acid sequence can include sequences having an FcR mutation wherein the constant regions comprises an amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 10, 18, 24, or a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical thereto.

In an additional aspect, an isolated immunoglobulin DNA cassette nucleic acid comprises a kappa light chain variable leader sequence linked to a kappa light chain constant region sequence as depicted in FIG. 2. A kappa chain variable leader nucleotide sequence can be prepared from genomic sequences using the methods described herein (see, e.g., examples). In one embodiment kappa chain leader nucleotide sequence can include a nucleotide sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 3 or a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical thereto. A kappa chain constant region can be prepared from genomic sequences using the methods described herein (see, e.g., examples). In an additional embodiment, kappa chain constant region nucleotide sequences can include sequences having nucleotide sequences shown in SEQ ID NOS: 11, 19, 25, or a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical thereto. In another additional embodiment, the isolated immunoglobulin DNA cassette nucleic acid encodes kappa light chain leader amino acid sequence linked to a kappa chain constant region amino acid sequence as depicted in FIG. 2. In preferred embodiments, kappa chain leader amino acid sequence can include amino acid sequences a shown in SEQ ID NO: 4, or a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical thereto. Kappa chain constant region amino acid sequences can include sequences having nucleotide sequences shown in SEQ ID NOS: 12, 20, 26, or a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical thereto.

In a further aspect, an isolated immunoglobulin DNA cassette nucleic acid comprises a lambda light chain variable leader nucleotide sequence linked to a lambda light chain constant region nucleotide sequence as depicted in FIG. 2. A lambda chain variable leader sequence can be prepared from genomic sequences using the methods described herein (see, e.g., examples). In one embodiment, lambda chain leader sequences include sequences having nucleotide sequences shown in SEQ ID NO:5, or a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical thereto. A lambda chain constant region can be prepared from genomic sequences using the methods described herein (see, e.g., examples). Lambda chain constant region nucleotide sequences can include sequences having nucleotide sequences shown in SEQ ID NO: 13, or a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical thereto. In another embodiment, the isolated immunoglobulin DNA cassette nucleic acid encodes lambda chain leader amino acid sequence linked to a lambda chain constant region amino acid sequence (depicted in FIG. 2). Lambda chain leader amino acid sequences can include sequences having a amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 6, or a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical thereto. A lambda chain constant region amino acid sequence can include sequences having an amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 14, or a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical thereto.

The nucleic acid can encode an antibody light or heavy chain constant region, operatively linked to the corresponding leader sequence. The light chain constant region may be a kappa or lambda chain constant region. Preferably, the light chain constant region is from a lambda type (e.g., a human type lambda). In another embodiment, the heavy chain constant region of an antibody isotype selected from the group consisting of IgG (e.g., IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4), IgM, IgA1, IgA2, IgD, and IgE. Preferably, the heavy chain constant region is from an IgG (e.g., an IgG1) isotype.

Additional aspects of the invention include assembled immunoglobulin DNA cassette sequences. Assembled immunoglobulin cassette sequences include nucleotide sequences as well as amino acid sequences encoded by an immunoglobulin DNA cassette nucleotide sequence (depicted in FIG. 2). Preferred sequences of the immunoglobulin cassettes include sequences shown in SEQ ID NO: 65, SEQ ID NO: 67, SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 73, SEQ ID NO: 75, SEQ ID NO: 77, SEQ ID NO: 79, SEQ ID NO: 81, SEQ ID NO: 66, SEQ ID NO: 68, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 72, SEQ ID NO: 74, SEQ ID NO: 76, SEQ ID NO: 78, SEQ ID NO: 80, SEQ ID NO: 82, or a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical thereto.

Additional embodiments of the invention provide isolated immunoglobulin DNA cassette insert nucleic acid sequences. The insert sequences include nucleic acid sequences comprising a heavy chain variable nucleotide sequence, a lambda light chain variable nucleotide sequence and/or a kappa chain variable nucleotide sequence. Insert sequences can be prepared using the methods of the present invention (see examples). Exemplary insert sequences include those having a nucleotide sequence selected from any one of the sequences as shown in SEQ ID NO:83, 85, 87, or a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 99% to or higher identical thereto. In still another embodiment, the isolated immunoglobulin DNA cassette insert nucleic acid encodes a variable domain selected from a heavy chain variable domain, a lambda light chain, and/or a kappa chain variable amino acid sequence. Exemplary insert amino acid sequences include those having an amino acid sequence selected from any one of the sequences as shown in SEQ ID NO: 84, 86, 88, or a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical thereto.

Nucleic acids of the invention can be chosen for having codons, which are preferred, or non preferred, for a particular expression system. E.g., the nucleic acid can be one in which at least one codon, at preferably at least 10%, or 20% of the codons has been altered such that the sequence is optimized for expression in E. coli, yeast, insect, or mammalian cells.

In a preferred embodiment, the nucleic acid differs (e.g., differs by substitution, insertion, or deletion) from that of the sequences provided, e.g., as follows: by at least one but less than 10, 20, 30, or 40 nucleotides; at least one but less than 1%, 5%, 10% or 20% of the nucleotides in the subject nucleic acid. If necessary for this analysis the sequences should be aligned for maximum homology. “Looped” out sequences from deletions or insertions, or mismatches, are considered differences. The differences are, preferably, differences or changes at nucleotides encoding a non-essential residue(s) or a conservative substitution(s).

In one embodiment, a first and second immunoglobulin DNA cassette nucleic acids are linked, e.g., contained in the same vector. In other embodiments, a first and a second immunoglobulin DNA cassette nucleic acids are unlinked, e.g., contained in a different vector.

In another aspect, the invention features host cells and vectors (e.g., recombinant expression vectors) containing the immunoglobulin DNA cassette nucleic acids of the invention. An additionally provided aspect includes vectors containing the immunoglobulin DNA cassette nucleic acids and containing the DNA cassette insert nucleic acids.

Preferred vectors of the invention include plasmid vectors. An additional preferred vector is a viral vector, wherein additional DNA segments may be ligated into the viral genome. Certain vectors are capable of autonomous replication in a host cell into which they are introduced (e.g., bacterial vectors having a bacterial origin of replication and episomal mammalian vectors). Other vectors (e.g., non-episomal mammalian vectors) can be integrated into the genome of a host cell upon introduction into the host cell, and thereby are replicated along with the host genome. Moreover, certain vectors are capable of directing the expression of genes to which they are operatively linked. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the design of the expression vector, including the selection of regulatory sequences may depend on such factors as the choice of the host cell to be transformed, the level of expression of protein desired, etc.

A host cell can be any cell useful with the constructs of the present invention and include, but are not limited to prokaryotic cells, e.g., bacterial cells such as E. coli, or eukaryotic cells, e.g., insect cells, yeast, or preferably mammalian cells (e.g., cultured cell or a cellline such as CHO or COS cells for example). A cell line which is transformed to produce the antibody of altered effector function can be an immortalized mammalian cell line, which is advantageously of lymphoid origin, such as a myeloma, hybridoma, trioma or quadroma cell line. The cell line may also comprise a normal lymphoid cell, such

as a B-cell, which has been immortalised by transformation with a virus, such as the Epstein-Barr virus. Most preferably, the immortalised cell line is a myeloma cell line or a derivative thereof. Other suitable host cells are known to those skilled in the art.

The recombinant expression vectors of the invention can be designed for expression of the antibodies, or antigen-binding fragments thereof, in prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells. For example, polypeptides of the invention can be expressed in E. coli, insect cells (e.g., using baculovirus expression vectors), yeast cells or mammalian cells. Suitable host cells are discussed further in Goeddel, (1990) Gene Expression Technology: Methods in Enzymology 185, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif. Alternatively, the recombinant expression vector can be transcribed and translated in vitro, for example using T7 promoter regulatory sequences and T7 polymerase.

Preferred mammalian host cells for expressing the antibodies of the invention include Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO cells) (including dhfr− CHO cells, described in Urlaub and Chasin, (1980) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77:4216-4220, used with a DHFR selectable marker, e.g., as described in R. J. Kaufman and P. A. Sharp (1982) Mol. Biol. 159:601-621), lymphocytic cell lines, e.g., NS0 myeloma cells and SP2 cells, COS cells, and a cell from a transgenic animal, e.g., e.g., mammary epithelial cell.

Expression of proteins in prokaryotes is most often carried out in E. coli with vectors containing constitutive or inducible promoters directing the expression of either fusion or non-fusion proteins. Fusion vectors add a number of amino acids to an antibody encoded therein, often to the constant region of the recombinant antibody, without affecting specificity or antigen recognition of the antibody. Addition of the amino acids of the fusion peptide can add additional function to the antibody, for example as a marker (e.g., epitope tag such as myc- or flag).

In addition to the immunoglobulin DNA cassette nucleic acid sequences and the immunoglobulin DNA cassette insert nucleic acids, the recombinant expression vectors of the invention carry regulatory sequences that are operatively linked and control the expression of the antibody chain genes in a host cell.

Preferred regulatory sequences for mammalian host cell expression include viral elements that direct high levels of protein expression in mammalian cells, such as promoters and/or enhancers derived from FF-1a promoter and BGH poly A, cytomegalovirus (CMV) (such as the CMV promoter/enhancer), Simian Virus 40 (SV40) (such as the SV40 promoter/enhancer), adenovirus, (e.g., the adenovirus major late promoter (AdMLP)) and polyoma. For further description of viral regulatory elements, and sequences thereof, see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,062 by Stinski, U.S. Pat. No. 4,510,245 by Bell et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,615 by Schaffner et al.

In addition to the immunoglobulin DNA cassette sequences, insert sequences, and regulatory sequences, the recombinant expression vectors of the invention may carry additional sequences, such as sequences that regulate replication of the vector in host cells (e.g., origins of replication) and selectable marker genes. The selectable marker gene facilitates selection of host cells into which the vector has been introduced (see e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,399,216, 4,634,665 and 5,179,017, all by Axel et al.). For example, typically the selectable marker gene confers resistance to drugs, such as G418, hygromycin or methotrexate, on a host cell into which the vector has been introduced. Preferred selectable marker genes include the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene (for use in dhfr⁻ host cells with methotrexate selection/amplification) and the neo gene (for G418 selection).

In an exemplary system for recombinant expression of antibodies, a recombinant expression vector encoding both the desired antibody heavy chain and the desired antibody light chain is introduced into dhfr− CHO cells by calcium phosphate-mediated transfection. Within the recombinant expression vector, the antibody heavy and light chain genes are each operatively linked to enhancer/promoter regulatory elements (e.g., derived from SV40, CMV, adenovirus and the like, such as a CMV enhancer/AdMLP promoter regulatory element or an SV40 enhancer/AdMLP promoter regulatory element) to drive high levels of transcription of the genes. The recombinant expression vector also carries a DHFR gene, which allows for selection of CHO cells that have been transfected with the vector using methotrexate selection/amplification. The selected transformant host cells are cultured to allow for expression of the antibody heavy and light chains and intact antibody is recovered from the culture medium. Standard molecular biology techniques well known in the are and described herein are used to prepare the recombinant expression vector, transfect the host cells, select for transformants, culture the host cells and recover the antibody from the culture medium.

Preparation of Immunoglobulin DNA Insert Sequences

The V_(H) or V_(L) gene sequences can be cloned for preparation of immunoglobulin DNA cassette insert sequences based on published nucleotide sequences known in the art. Alternatively, as described in more detail below, antibodies (preferably, monoclonal antibodies from differing organisms, e.g., rodent, sheep, human) against a predetermined antigen can be produced using art-recognized methods. Once the antibodies are obtained, the variable regions can be sequenced. The light and heavy chain variable regions can, optionally, be ligated to corresponding constant regions.

Monoclonal antibodies can also be generated by other methods known to those skilled in the art of recombinant DNA technology. An alternative method, referred to as the “combinatorial antibody display” method, has been developed to identify and isolate antibody fragments having a particular antigen specificity, and can be utilized to produce monoclonal antibodies (for descriptions of combinatorial antibody display see e.g., Sastry et al. 1989 PNAS 86:5728; Huse et al. 1989 Science 246:1275; and Orlandi et al. 1989 PNAS 86:3833). After immunizing an animal with an immunogen as described above, the antibody repertoire of the resulting B-cell pool is cloned. Methods are generally known for obtaining the DNA sequence of the variable regions of a diverse population of immunoglobulin molecules by using a mixture of oligomer primers and PCR. For instance, mixed oligonucleotide primers corresponding to the 5′ leader (signal peptide) sequences and/or framework 1 (FR1) sequences, as well as primer to a conserved 3′ constant region primer can be used for PCR amplification of the heavy and light chain variable regions from a number of murine antibodies (Larrick et al., 1991, Biotechniques 11:152-156). A similar strategy can also been used to amplify human heavy and light chain variable regions from human antibodies (Larrick et al., 1991, Methods: Companion to Methods in Enzymology 2:106-110).

In an illustrative embodiment, RNA is isolated from B lymphocytes, for example, peripheral blood cells, bone marrow, or spleen preparations, using standard protocols (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,202; Orlandi, et al. PNAS (1989) 86:3833-3837; Sastry et al., PNAS (1989) 86:5728-5732; and Huse et al. (1989) Science 246:1275-1281.) First-strand cDNA is synthesized using primers specific for the constant region of the heavy chain(s) and either of the κ and λ light chains, as well as primers for the signal sequence. Using variable region PCR primers, the variable regions of both heavy and light chains are amplified, each alone or in combination, and ligated into appropriate vectors for further manipulation.

Preferably, isolated nucleic acids of light and heavy chain variable regions are useful as insert sequences for use with immunoglobulin DNA cassette vectors. In a preferred embodiment, amplified variable regions comprising various antigen specificity are useful for insertion in a desired immunoglobulin DNA cassette vector for preparation of a battery of antibodies having desired effector function.

Oligonucleotide primers useful in amplification protocols may be unique or degenerate or incorporate inosine at degenerate positions. Restriction endonuclease recognition sequences may be incorporated into the primers to allow for the cloning of the amplified fragment into a vector in a predetermined reading frame for expression.

The V-gene library cloned from the immunization-derived antibody repertoire can be expressed by a population of display packages, preferably derived from filamentous phage, to form an antibody display library. In addition to commercially available kits for generating phage display libraries (e.g., the Pharmacia Recombinant Phage Antibody System, catalog no. 27-9400-01; and the Stratagene SurfZAP™ phage display kit, catalog no. 240612), examples of methods and reagents particularly amenable for use in generating a variegated antibody display library can be found in, for example, Ladner et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,409; Kang et al. International Publication No. WO 92/18619; Dower et al. International Publication No. WO 91/17271; Winter et al. International Publication WO 92/20791; Markland et al. International Publication No. WO 92/15679; Breitling et al. International Publication WO 93/01288; McCafferty et al. International Publication No. WO 92/01047; Garrard et al. International Publication No. WO 92/09690; Ladner et al. International Publication No. WO 90/02809; Fuchs et al. (1991) Bio/Technology 9: 1370-1372; Hay et al. (1992) Hum Antibod Hybridomas 3:81-85; Huse et al. (1989) Science 246:1275-1281; Griffths et al. (1993) EMBO J 12:725-734; Hawkins et al. (1992) J Mol Biol 226:889-896; Clackson et al. (1991) Nature 352:624-628; Gram et al. (1992) PNAS 89:3576-3580; Garrad et al. (1991) Bio/Technology 9:1373-1377; Hoogenboom et al. (1991) Nuc Acid Res 19:4133-4137; and Barbas et al. (1991) PNAS 88:7978-7982.

Once displayed on the surface of a display package (e.g., filamentous phage), the antibody library is screened with the antigen, or peptide fragment thereof, to identify and isolate packages that express an antibody having specificity for the antigen. Nucleic acid encoding the selected antibody can be recovered from the display package (e.g., from the phage genome) and subcloned into other expression vectors by standard recombinant DNA techniques.

The Fv binding surface of a particular antibody molecule interacts with its target ligand according to principles of protein-protein interactions, hence sequence data for V_(H) and V_(L) (the latter of which may be of the κ or λ chain type) is the basis for protein engineering techniques known to those with skill in the art. Details of the protein surface that comprises the binding determinants can be obtained from antibody sequence information, by a modeling procedure using previously determined three-dimensional structures from other antibodies obtained from NMR studies or crytallographic data. See for example Bajorath, J. and S. Sheriff, 1996, Proteins: Struct., Funct., and Genet. 24 (2), 152-157; Webster, D. M. and A. R. Rees, 1995, “Molecular modeling of antibody-combining sites,” in S. Paul, Ed., Methods in Molecular Biol. 51, Antibody Engineering Protocols, Humana Press, Totowa, N.J., pp 1749; and Johnson, G., Wu, T. T. and E. A. Kabat, 1995, “Seqhunt: A program to screen aligned nucleotide and amino acid sequences,” in Methods in Molecular Biol. 51, op. cit., pp 1-15.

An antigen binding region can also be obtained by screening various types of combinatorial libraries with a desired binding activity, and to identify the active species, by methods that have been described.

An antigen binding region can also be obtained through use of a known nucleic acid sequence encoding an immunoglobulin molecule or fragment thereof, having a desired antigen specificity.

Additionally, a series of mutations in known variable region sequences can be made rapidly using mutation methods known to those of skill in the art. Resultant sequences may then be assembled in conjunction with the immunoglobulin DNA cassettes and methods described herein to create a panel of antibodies with different antigen specificities. Determination of the clones harboring the variable region having the desired specific binding characteristic can be rapidly generated.

Once a nucleic acid encoding the preferred antigen specificity is identified, variable domain insert sequences may be isolated for use in the immunoglobulin DNA cassettes of the present invention in order for preparation of antibodies having particular antigen specificity, while specifying effector function through use of the desired immunoglobulin DNA cassette.

An additionally preferred use of the isolated nucleic acid encoding a preferred antigen specificity is in preparation of a battery of antibodies having a singly preferred antigen specificity, with variable effector functions. In preparation of a battery of antibodies, for example, various DNA expression vectors comprising heavy and light chain immunoglobulin DNA cassettes having various effector functions are provided, wherein the effector functions desired for the battery of antibodies are sufficiently represented among the immunoglobulin DNA cassettes (e.g., IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD and IgE). In preparation of the battery of antibodies, isolated variable region heavy and light chain DNA insert sequences are incorporated into DNA expression vectors comprising the variable effector functions. Resultant expression vectors encoding immunoglobulins can then be transfected into host cells for expression of antibodies. Resulting expression will yield a battery of antibodies with variable effector function, while maintaining the desired antigen specificity.

Methods of Producing Antibody Molecules

In another aspect, the invention features a method of providing an antibody preparation having improved assembly characteristics over compositions presently used in the art, the method comprising: providing a first nucleic acid, e.g., an immunoglobulin DNA cassette nucleic acid encoding immunoglobulin heavy chain (or a fragment thereof, e.g., the heavy chain variable region) as described herein; providing a second immunoglobulin DNA cassette nucleic acid encoding immunoglobulin light chain (or a fragment thereof, e.g., the light chain variable region); and introducing said first and second nucleic acids into a host cell, e.g., a host cell as described herein, under conditions that allow expression and assembly of said light and heavy chain immunoglobulins, resulting in antibody production.

An antibody molecule of the invention can be prepared by recombinant expression of immunoglobulin light and heavy chain genes in a host cell. To express an antibody recombinantly, a host cell is transfected with one or more recombinant expression vectors carrying nucleic acid fragments encoding the immunoglobulin light and heavy chains of the antibody such that the light and heavy chains are expressed in the host cell and, preferably, secreted into the medium in which the host cells are cultured, from which medium the antibodies can be recovered. Methodologies as described herein are used produce antibody heavy and light chain genes, incorporate these genes operatively linked to leader sequences into recombinant expression vectors and introduce the vectors into host cells, such as those described in Sambrook, Fritsch and Maniatis (eds), Molecular Cloning; A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., (1989), Ausubel, F. M. et al. (eds.) Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Greene Publishing Associates, (1989) and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,397 by Boss et al.

Subconfluent monolayers of dhfr− Chinese Hamster Ovary cells can be co-transfected with the vector containing the heavy chain gene and a second vector containing the humanized light chain. Alternatively, the heavy and light chain genes can be cloned into a single vector. Prior to transfection, the plasmid DNA(s) can be linearized using the appropriate restriction endonuclease.

For expression of the light and heavy chains, the expression vector(s) encoding the heavy and light chains is transfected into a host cell by standard techniques. The various forms of the term “transfection” are intended to encompass a wide variety of techniques commonly used for the introduction of exogenous DNA into a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cell, e.g., electroporation, calcium-phosphate precipitation, DEAE-dextran transfection and the like. Although it is theoretically possible to express the antibodies of the invention in either prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cells, expression of antibodies in eukaryotic cells, and most preferably mammalian host cells, is the most preferred because such eukaryotic cells, and in particular mammalian cells, are more likely than prokaryotic cells to assemble and secrete a properly folded and immunologically active antibody. Prokaryotic expression of antibody genes has been reported to be ineffective for production of high yields of active antibody (Boss, M. A. and Wood, C. R. (1985) Immunology Today 6:12-13).

Heavy and light chain transfectants can be selected for in xanthine/hypoxanthine free IMDM containing 5% (v/v) dialyzed fetal calf serum.

When recombinant expression vectors encoding antibody genes are introduced into mammalian host cells, the antibodies are produced by culturing the host cells for a period of time sufficient to allow for expression of the antibody in the host cells or, more preferably, secretion of the antibody into the culture medium in which the host cells are grown. Antibodies can be recovered from the culture medium using standard protein purification methods.

Use of the methods described herein for preparation and production of antibodies has been shown to result in production to levels of about ten times greater than presently preferred methods of antibody production. Without being limited by mechanism, it is possible that the use of cDNA (versus genomic DNA) assists in the rapid production of mature RNA. Additionally, incorporation of leader sequences may facilitate expression and/or production of antibody. Finally, incorporation of both heavy and light chain immunoglobulin gene sequences in a single expression vector may facilitate coordinated expression levels and production of proteins for facilitated assembly characteristics.

Host cells can also be used to produce portions of intact antibodies, such as Fab fragments. It will be understood that variations on the above procedure are within the scope of the present invention. For example, it may be desirable to transfect a host cell with DNA encoding either the light chain or the heavy chain (but not both) of an antibody of this invention. Methods described herein may also be used to remove some or all of the DNA encoding either or both of the light and heavy chains that is not necessary for binding to a predetermined antigen, e.g., CD3. The molecules expressed from such truncated DNA molecules are also encompassed by the antibodies of the invention. In addition, bifunctional antibodies may be produced in which one heavy and one light chain are an antibody of the invention having a predetermined antigen specificity and the other heavy and light chain are specific for an antigen other than the predetermined antigen, e.g., by crosslinking an antibody of the invention having a predetermined specificity to a second antibody by standard chemical crosslinking methods.

Uses of the Antibody Production and Conversion System

Production of chimeric antibodies, including chimeric immunoglobulin chains, can be facilitated by use of techniques known in the art used in conjunction with the compositions and methods described herein. Constant regions from different species may be used. An expression vector can be generated in which a chimeric VH gene may be expressed in conjunction with different immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region genes (Gunning s al. (1987) P. N. A. S. USA 85: 7719-7723). For example, a gene encoding the Fc constant region of a murine (or other species) monoclonal antibody molecule is digested with restriction enzymes to remove the region encoding the murine Fc, and the equivalent portion of a gene encoding a human Fc constant region is substituted (see Robinson et al., International Patent Publication PCT/US86/02269; Akira, et al., European Patent Application 184,187; Taniguchi, M., European Patent Application 171,496; Morrison et al., European Patent Application 173,494; Neuberger et al., International Application WO 86/01533; Cabilly et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567; Cabilly et al., European Patent Application 125,023; Better et al. (1988 Science 240:1041-1043); Liu et al. (1987) PNAS 84:3439-3443; Liu et al., 1987, J. Immunol. 139:3521-3526; Sun et al. (1987) PNAS 84:214-218; Nishimura et al., 1987, Canc. Res. 47:999-1005; Wood et al. (1985) Nature 314:446-449; and Shaw et al., 1988, J. Natl Cancer Inst. 80:1553-1559).

An antibody or an immunoglobulin chain can be humanized by methods known in the art. These processes will also be facilitated through use of the compositions and methods comprising the antibody production and conversion system of the present invention. Humanized antibodies, including humanized immunoglobulin chains, can be generated by replacing sequences of the Fv variable region which are not directly involved in antigen binding with equivalent sequences from human Fv variable regions. General methods for generating humanized antibodies are provided by Morrison, S. L., 1985, Science 229:1202-1207, by Oi et al., 1986, BioTechniques 4:214, and by Queen et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,089, U.S. Pat. No. 5,693,761 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,693,762, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Those methods include isolating, manipulating, and expressing the nucleic acid sequences that encode all or part of immunoglobulin Fv variable regions from at least one of a heavy or light chain. Sources of such nucleic acid are well known to those skilled in the art and, for example, may be obtained from a hybridoma producing an antibody against a predetermined target. The recombinant DNA encoding the humanized antibody, or fragment thereof, can then be cloned into an appropriate expression vector.

Humanized or CDR-grafted antibody molecules or immunoglobulins can be produced by CDR-grafting or CDR substitution, wherein one, two, or all CDR's of an immunoglobulin chain can be replaced. See e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,539; Jones et al. 1986 Nature 321:552-525; Verhoeyan et al. 1988 Science 239:1534; Beidler et al. 1988 J. Immunol. 141:4053-4060; Winter U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,539, the contents of all of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. Winter describes a CDR-grafting method which may be used to prepare the humanized antibodies of the present invention (UK Patent Application GB 2188638A, filed on Mar. 26, 1987; Winter U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,539), the contents of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. All of the CDR's of a particular human antibody may be replaced with at least a portion of a non-human CDR or only some of the CDR's may be replaced with non-human CDR's. It is only necessary to replace the number of CDR's required for binding of the humanized antibody to a predetermined antigen.

Also within the scope of the invention are humanized antibodies produced by the methods described herein, including immunoglobulins, in which specific amino acids have been substituted, deleted or added. In particular, preferred humanized antibodies have amino acid substitutions in the framework region, such as to improve binding to the antigen. For example, a selected, small number of acceptor framework residues of the humanized immunoglobulin chain can be replaced by the corresponding donor amino acids. Preferred locations of the substitutions include amino acid residues adjacent to the CDR, or which are capable of interacting with a CDR (see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,089). Criteria for selecting amino acids from the donor are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,089, e.g., columns 12-16 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,089, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Other techniques for humanizing immunoglobulin chains, including antibodies, are described in Padlan et al. EP 519596 A1, published on Dec. 23, 1992.

Monoclonal, chimeric, hybrid and humanized antibodies, which have been modified by, e.g., deleting, adding, or substituting other portions of the antibody, e.g., the constant region, are also within the scope of the invention. For example, an antibody can be modified as follows: (i) by deleting the constant region; (ii) by replacing the constant region with another constant region, e.g., a constant region meant to increase half-life, stability or affinity of the antibody, or a constant region from another species or antibody class; or (iii) by modifying one or more amino acids in the constant region to alter, for example, the number of glycosylation sites, effector cell function, Fc receptor (FcR) binding, complement fixation. One skilled in the art will appreciate this is but a representative list of potential modifications.

In one embodiment, the constant region of the antibody can be replaced by another constant region from, e.g., a different species. This replacement can be carried out using molecular biology techniques, and the compositions and methods described herein. For example, the nucleic acid encoding the VL or VH region of an antibody can be converted to a full-length light or heavy chain gene, respectively, by operatively linking the VH or VL-encoding nucleic acid to another nucleic acid encoding the light or heavy chain constant regions using the immunoglobulin DNA cassette vectors described. Preferably, the constant region is human, but constant regions from other species, e.g., rodent (e.g., mouse or rat), primate, camel, rabbit can also be used. Constant regions from these species are known in the art (see e.g., Kabat, E. A., et al. (1991) Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, Fifth Edition, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIH Publication No. 91-3242).

Modified antibody molecules may have enhanced therapeutic applications compared to their unmodified counterparts. For example, aglycosylated antibodies which have a modified Fc region, have been shown to be substantially non-mitogenic to T cells, while retaining immunosuppressive properties.

Methods for altering an antibody constant region are known in the art. Antibodies with altered function, e.g. altered affinity for an effector ligand, such as FcR on a cell, or the C1 component of complement can be produced by replacing at least one amino acid residue in the constant portion of the antibody with a different residue (see e.g., EP 388,151 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,821 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,260, the contents of all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference). Similar types of alterations could be described which if applied to the murine, or other species immunoglobulin would reduce or eliminate these functions.

For example, it is possible to alter the affinity of an Fc region of an antibody (e.g., an IgG, such as a human IgG) for an FcR (e.g., Fc gamma R1), or for C1q binding by replacing the specified residue(s) with a residue(s) having an appropriate functionality on its side chain, or by introducing a charged functional group, such as glutamate or aspartate, or perhaps an aromatic non-polar residue such as phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan or alanine (see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,821).

In other embodiments, replacing residue 297 (asparagine) with alanine in the IgG constant region significantly inhibits recruitment of effector cells, while only slightly reducing (about three fold weaker) affinity for Clq (see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,821). The numbering of the residues in the immunoglobulin chain is that of the EU index (see Kabat et al., 1991). This alteration destroys the glycosylation site and it is believed that the presence of carbohydrate is required for Fc receptor binding. The modification at residue 297 (asparagine to alanine) has been shown to produce aglycosylated anti-CD3 antibodies of the IgG subclass having significantly reduced binding of the antibody Fc region to the Fc receptor. Aglycosylated CD3 antibodies have been shown to be substantially non-mitogenic for human T cells, while being retaining immunosuppressive properties (Bolt, S. et al. (1993) Eur. J. Immunol. 23(2):403-11; Routledge, E. G. et al. (1995) Transplantation 60(8):847-53; U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,097; U.S. Pat. No. 5,968,509, the contents of all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference). When used as human therapeutics, such aglycosylated antibodies show reduced “first dose effect,” which is a syndrome experienced by patients following the initial administration of the CD3 antibody. This phenomenon requires the cross-linking of the CD3 antigen on the surface of T-cells to accessory cells through Fc receptors. Aglycosylated anti-CD3 antibodies (and in particular, humanized anti-CD3 antibodies) have been shown to elicit a reduced first dose effect, and thus have been shown to be useful therapeutic agents to treat a variety of immune conditions.

Any other substitutions at this site that destroys the glycosylation site are believed cause a similar decrease in lytic activity. Other amino acids substitutions, e.g., changing any one of residues 318 (Glu), 320 (Lys) and 322 (Lys), to Ala, are also known to abolish Clq binding to the Fc region of IgG antibodies (see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,821).

Modified antibodies can be produced which have a reduced interaction with an Fc receptor. For example, it has been shown that in human IgG3, which binds to the human Fc gamma R1 receptor, changing Leu 235 to Glu destroys the interaction, of the mutant for the receptor. Mutations on adjacent or close sites in the hinge link region of an antibody (e.g., replacing residues 234, 236 or 237 by Ala) can also be used to affect the affinity for the Fc gamma R1 receptor. Mutations L235A and G237A inhibit the binding of the constant region to human Fc receptors and inhibit the initiation of ADCC reactions, and have been described previously in U.S. Pat. No. 5,985,279 and International Publication No.: WO98/06248, which are incorporated herein by reference. The numbering of the residues in the immunoglobulin chain is that of the EU index. See Kabat et al., (1991) J. Immunol. 147:1709-19.

In a preferred embodiment, an immunoglobulin DNA cassette comprises nucleic acid sequences encoding an immunoglobulin resulting in production of an antibody having reduced or no ability to bind an Fc receptor. For example, it is an isotype or subtype, fragment or other mutant, which does not support binding to an Fc receptor, e.g., it has a mutagenized or deleted Fc receptor binding region.

Additional methods for altering the lytic activity of an antibody, for example, by altering one or more amino acids in the N-terminal region of the CH2 domain are described in WO 94/29351 by Morgan et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,821, the contents of all of which are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.

Antibody fragments comprising only a portion of the primary antibody structure can also be produced using the immunoglobulin DNA cassettes and methods of the present invention, which fragments possess one or more immunoglobulin activities (e.g., antigen binding, complement fixation activity). Such polypeptide fragments may be produced by proteolytic cleavage of intact antibodies by methods known in the art, or by inserting stop codons at the desired locations in the vectors using site-directed mutagenesis, such as after CH1 to produce Fab fragments or after the hinge region to produce (Fab)2 fragments. Single chain antibodies may be produced by joining VL and VH with a DNA linker (see, Huston et al. (2001) Hum Antibodies. 10:127-42. op. cit.).

Alternatively, the DNA immunoglobulin cassettes may be altered for rapid production of a single chain antibody. Engineering of single-chain antibody (scFV) have been described in, for example, Colcher, D. et al. (1999) Ann. N Y Acad. Sci. 880:263-80; and Reiter, Y. (1996) Clin. Cancer Res. 2:245-52. A single chain antibody can be dimerized or multimerized to generate multivalent antibodies having specificities for different epitopes of the same target protein.

Accordingly, the immunoglobulin DNA cassette vectors of the present invention are engineered to include a leader sequence operably linked to a minimal variable domain sequence, minimal constant region or modified constant region to allow for incorporation of variable domains of heavy and/or light chains as desired. Furthermore, the heavy and light chain DNA cassettes are operatively linked via a DNA linker, as desired in order to engineer the desired modified antibody construct.

Monobodies, Novel Immunoglobulin Molecules

An antibody has a long sera half-life (up to weeks), however, the large size of antibodies, and the fact that antibodies have two antigen binding sites and can cross-link receptors or cells and activate the cells has spurred the development of smaller molecules, which may be more useful for the development of biotherapeutic agents. As discussed above, single chain antibodies (scFV) or Fab fragments have been developed which cannot cross-link receptors or cells, and thus would not lead to the undesired effects of crosslinking. Additionally, a single antigen-binding region attached to a partial Fc region can be created by mutating the hinge (to prevent the disulfide bonding of two heavy chains). However, without the intact Fc region, these smaller molecules are subject to attack by proteases and have a short sera half-life (hours).

We have developed a monovalent antibody composed of a single antibody heavy chain associated with a single extended antibody light chain, termed herein a “monobody.” The extended light chain is composed of a kappa constant region attached to the hinge and CH2-CH3 region of a heavy constant region. A heavy chain monobody protein and an extended light chain monobody protein form a single antigen-binding site with a single Fc region. Attaching the heavy chain Hinge-CH2-CH3 to the kappa constant region should create an “intact” Fc that is protected from digestion and creates a single antigen-binding site.

It was not known if attaching an IgG1 Hinge-CH2-CH3 to the end of a kappa light chain would create too much steric interference to prevent the association of the heavy and light chains or reduce its stability. Thus, two versions of a monobody have thus been proposed and are described herein (see Examples). One embodiment is based on the IgG1 antibody which is more rigid but a known therapeutic utility. A second embodiment is based on IgG3 which has greater flexibility due to the position of the disulfide bonding and length of hinge sequences. However, it is intended that the basic structure of the monobody construct is understood in the principles described herein, and the specifics of the Ig type of hinge and/or constant sequences utilized may be tailored to suit the particular situation.

Thus, provided are methods and compositions for construction of nucleic acids comprising immunoglobulin monobody DNA cassettes, as well as vectors comprising monobody cassettes, methods for construction of monobodies having desired affinity for specific antigen. Still further, the monobody DNA cassettes and vectors may be used for production of monobody proteins, similarly to the methods described for antibodies and immunoglobulin molecules utilizing the immunoglobulin DNA cassette sequences and vectors supra.

In one aspect, an isolated immunoglobulin monobody DNA cassette nucleic acid comprises a heavy chain variable leader nucleotide sequence linked to a heavy chain constant region nucleotide sequence, wherein the constant region has an FcR mutation which modulates effector function, as depicted in FIG. 11 or 12. A heavy chain variable leader and/or constant region sequences can be prepared from genomic sequences using the methods described herein (see, e.g., Examples.) In another embodiment, the isolated monobody immunoglobulin DNA cassette nucleic acid encodes heavy chain leader amino acid sequence linked to an IgG3 CH1 and hinge regions and an IgG1 heavy chain CH2 and CH3 constant region amino acid sequence (depicted in FIG. 11 and FIG. 13). Monobody heavy chain cassette nucleotide sequences can include sequences having nucleotide sequences shown in SEQ ID NOS: 69, 105, or a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical thereto. Heavy chain monobody amino acid sequences can include sequences having a amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 70, 106, or a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical thereto.

In an additional aspect, an isolated immunoglobulin DNA cassette nucleic acid comprises an extended monobody light chain comprising a light chain variable leader sequence linked to a light chain constant region sequence further linked to an IgG1 hinge and an IgG1 CH2 and CH3 constant region as depicted in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12. A light chain variable leader and/or constant region nucleotide sequence can be prepared from genomic sequences using the methods described herein (see, e.g., Examples). In a preferred embodiment, an extended monobody light chain cassette nucleotide sequences can include sequences having nucleotide sequences shown in SEQ ID NO: 107 or a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical thereto.

In another embodiment, the isolated immunoglobulin monobody DNA cassette nucleic acid encodes a monobody light chain leader amino acid sequence linked to a light chain constant region further linked to an IgG3 hinge and an IgG1CH2 and CH3 region as depicted in FIG. 11 and FIG. 13. A light chain variable leader and/or constant region nucleotide sequence can be prepared from genomic sequences using methods described herein (see Examples). In one embodiment, an extended monobody light chain cassette nucleotide sequence can include sequences having sequences shown in SEQ ID NO: 109, or a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical thereto. Monobody amino acid sequence include constructs as depicted in FIG. 11 and FIG. 13. Monobody extended light chain amino acid cassette sequences can include sequences having nucleotide sequences shown in SEQ ID NOS: 108, 110, or a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical thereto.

The nucleic acid can encode a monobody light or heavy chain constant region, operatively linked to the corresponding leader sequence. The light chain constant region may be a kappa or lambda chain constant region. Preferably, the light chain constant region is from a kappa type (e.g., a human type kappa). In another embodiment, the heavy chain constant region of an antibody isotype selected from the group consisting of IgG (e.g., IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4), IgM, IgA1, IgA2, IgD, and IgE. Preferably, the heavy chain constant region is from an IgG (e.g., an IgG1 or IgG3) isotype.

Additional aspects of the invention include assembled immunoglobulin monobody DNA cassette vector sequences. Assembled immunoglobulin cassette vector sequences include nucleotide sequences as well as amino acid sequences encoded by an immunoglobulin DNA cassette nucleotide sequence (depicted in FIGS. 12 and 13). Preferred sequences of the immunoglobulin monobody cassettes include sequences shown in SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 105, SEQ ID NO: 106, SEQ ID NO: 107, SEQ ID NO: 108, SEQ ID NO: 109, SEQ ID NO: 110, or a sequence at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 99% or higher identical thereto. Preferably, monobody vectors comprise one heavy chain monobody cassette and one extended light chain monobody cassette.

Expression of monobodies can be attained according to the methods described above for immunoglobulin DNA cassettes. Because the cassettes can be prepared with desired cloning sequences for insertion of variable domain sequences, insertion of variable domains, followed by transfection of cells and production of proteins can be carried out in the manner described herein, or other suitable methods known in the art. For specific examples of preparation and production of monobodies, see Examples section below.

An immunoglobulin molecule (e.g., antibody or monobody) can be derivatized or linked to another functional molecule (e.g., another peptide or protein). Accordingly, the antibodies and antibody portions or otherwise modified forms of the antibodies of the invention described herein, may be further derivatized for use in research, diagnostic and/or therapeutic contexts. For example, an antibody or antibody portion of the invention can be functionally linked (by chemical coupling, genetic fusion, noncovalent association or otherwise) to one or more other molecular entities, such as another antibody (e.g., a bispecific antibody or a diabody), a detectable agent, a cytotoxic agent, a pharmaceutical agent, and/or a protein or peptide that can mediate associate of the antibody or antibody portion with another molecule (such as a streptavidin core region or a polyhistidine tag).

One type of derivatized antibody is produced by crosslinking two or more antibodies (of the same type or of different types, e.g., to create bispecific antibodies). Suitable crosslinkers include those that are heterobifunctional, having two distinctly reactive groups separated by an appropriate spacer (e.g., m-maleimidobenzoyl-N-hydroxysuccinimide ester) or homobifunctional (e.g., disuccinimidyl suberate). Such linkers are available from Pierce Chemical Company, Rockford, Ill.

Exemplary fluorescent detectable agents include fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate, rhodamine, 5-dimethylamine-1-napthalenesulfonyl chloride, phycoerythrin and the like. An antibody may also be derivatized with detectable enzymes, such as alkaline phosphatase, horseradish peroxidase, β-galactosidase, acetylcholinesterase, glucose oxidase and the like. When an antibody is derivatized with a detectable enzyme, it is detected by adding additional reagents that the enzyme uses to produce a detectable reaction product. For example, when the detectable agent horseradish peroxidase is present, the addition of hydrogen peroxide and diaminobenzidine leads to a colored reaction product, which is detectable. An antibody may also be derivatized with a prostetic group (e.g., streptavidin/biotin and avidinfbiotin). For example, an antibody may be derivatized with biotin, and detected through indirect measurement of avidin or streptavidin binding. Examples of suitable fluorescent materials include umbelliferone, fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate, rhodamine, dichlorotriazinylamine fluorescein, dansyl chloride or phycoerythrin; an example of a luminescent material includes luminol; examples of bioluminescent materials include luciferase, luciferin, and aequorin, and examples of suitable radioactive material include ¹²⁵I, ¹³¹I, ³⁵S or ³H.

An antibody (or fragment thereof) may be conjugated to a therapeutic moiety such as a cytotoxin, a therapeutic agent or a radioactive ion. A cytotoxin or cytotoxic agent includes any agent that is detrimental to cells. Examples include taxol, cytochalasin B, gramicidin D, ethidium bromide, emetine, mitomycin, etoposide, tenoposide, vincristine, vinblastine, colchicin, doxorubicin, daunorubicin, dihydroxy anthracin dione, mitoxantrone, mithramycin, actinomycin D, 1-dehydrotestosterone, glucocorticoids, procaine, tetracaine, lidocaine, propranolol, puromycin, maytansinoids, e.g., maytansinol (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,020), CC-1065 (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,475,092, 5,585,499, 5,846,545) and analogs or homologs thereof. Therapeutic agents include, but are not limited to, antimetabolites (e.g., methotrexate, 6-mercaptopurine, 6-thioguanine, cytarabine, 5-fluorouracil decarbazine), alkylating agents (e.g., mechlorethamine, thioepa chlorambucil, CC-1065, melphalan, carmustine (BSNU) and lomustine (CCNU), cyclothosphamide, busulfan, dibromomannitol, streptozotocin, mitomycin C, and cis-dichlorodiamine platinum (II) (DDP) cisplatin), anthracyclines (e.g., daunorubicin (formerly daunomycin) and doxorubicin), antibiotics (e.g., dactinomycin (formerly actinomycin), bleomycin, mithramycin, and anthramycin (AMC)), and anti-mitotic agents (e.g., vincristine, vinblastine, taxol and maytansinoids). Radioactive ions include, but are not limited to iodine, yttrium and praseodymium.

The conjugates of the invention can be used for modifying a given biological response, though the therapeutic moiety is not to be construed as limited to classical chemical therapeutic agents. For example, the therapeutic moiety may be a protein or polypeptide possessing a desired biological activity. Such proteins may include, for example, a toxin such as abrin, ricin A, pseudomonas exotoxin, or diphtheria toxin; a protein such as tumor necrosis factor, α-interferon, γ-interferon, nerve growth factor, platelet derived growth factor, tissue plasminogen activator; or, biological response modifiers such as, for example, lymphokines, interleukin-1 (“IL-1”), interleukin-2 (“IL-2”), interleukin-6 (“IL-6”), granulocyte macrophase colony stimulating factor (“GM-CSF”), granulocyte colony stimulating factor (“G-CSF”), or other growth factors.

Alternatively, an antibody can be conjugated to a second antibody to form an antibody heteroconjugate as described by Segal in U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,980.

The present invention is further illustrated by the following experimental procedures and examples, which are provided to aid the understanding of the invention, and should not be construed as a limitation thereof.

EXPERIMENTAL

Generation of Immunoglobulin DNA Cassette Constructs

Cassettes were constructed to contain immunoglobulin leaders (signal sequences) and constant regions separated by cloning sites and linkers. The organization of the cloning sites allows the addition of any variable regions to create intact cDNA. Each complete vector also contains both the heavy and the light chains each driven by its own promoter with its own polyadenylation region.

Example 1 Creation of Leader Sequences

The VH heavy chain leader (nVHL) was created by reverse translation of human and mouse VH signal sequence available in the public database to determine those with the potential to have useful restriction enzyme cloning sites added within the signal sequence. The sequence chosen for the VH leader comes from the mouse gene U60820 which has been described previously (See Mus musculus anti-digoxin immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region precursor mRNA, partial cds. Genbank Submission (13-JUN.-1996) Mironova, R. S., et al.; Gene activity regulation, Inst. Molecular Biology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad G. Bonchev bl 21, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria.)

-   -   U60820 (SEQ ID NO: 101): MAVLGLLFCLVTLPNCVLS

DNA sequences were designed that would encode both the original protein sequence and the desired unique restriction cloning site, MfeI, flanked by an EcoRI restriction enzyme site and a Kozak sequence on the 5′ end. At its 3′ end a stuffer sequence was followed by the sequence for the 5′ end of the human IgG1 region containing a BlpI restriction enzyme site, to generate the following amino acid sequence (stuffer sequences shown in lower case):

-   -   nVHL (SEQ ID NO 2): MAVLGLLFCLVTLPNCVLSrlvtvssas.

DNA (SEQ ID NO: 1) was then created by combining the following two primers, primer VHLa and primer VHLb (Table 1), and amplifying with Taq polymerase in a reaction 94° C. for 2 minutes followed by of 20 cycles of 94° C. for 2 minutes and 72° C. for 2.5 minutes with 30 second ramping and finishing with 72° C. for 10 minutes. The two primers contain 24 overlapping bases of complementary sequence. The resulting PCR product was TA cloned and individual clones sequenced to select for the clone with the desired sequence. This complete fragment encodes the protein shown in SEQ ID NO: 2.

The VK leader (nVKL) was constructed by reverse translating human and mouse kappa chain signal sequences to determine those with the potential to have useful restriction enzyme cloning sites added. The sequence utilized, the VK leader of human VK1-L5, has been previously described (see Pech M, et al. Organization and evolution of a gene cluster for human immunoglobulin variable regions of the kappa type. 1984. J Mol Biol 176(2):189-204.)

-   -   VK1-L5 (SEQ ID NO: 102): MDMRVPAQLLGLLLLWFPGSRS

The DNA sequence was designed that would encode both the original protein sequence and the desired unique restriction cloning site, PpuMI, flanked by an NotI restriction enzyme site and a Kozak sequence on the 5′ end. At its 3′ end it had a stuffer sequence followed by the sequence for the 5′ end of the human C Kappa region containing the BsiWI restriction enzyme site, to generate the following amino acid sequence (stuffer sequences shown in lower case):

-   -   nVKL (SEQ ID NO: 4): MDMRVPAQLLGLLLLWFPGSRSswrskrtv.

All leader sequences contained restriction enzyme sites within their own coding sequences. Other leaders were used during the development of the vectors that were not as useful because they contained the restriction enzyme sites within the VH and VK genes (thus contained the first few bases of the VH and VK genes). In these, DNA that included the restriction enzyme sites EcoRI, ClaI and XhoI along with a Kozak sequence were incorporated at the 5′ end of the leader sequences. Although such constructs can be used for some variable regions, they are not necessarily suitable for all. TABLE 1 Primers used to create VH and VK leader sequences. PRIMER SEQUENCE pVHLa 5′ CCGAATTCCTCACCATGGCTGTCTTGGGGCTGCTCTTCTGC CTGGTGACTTTACCCAATTG 3′ SEQ ID NO:27 pVHLb 5′ TGGAGGCTGAGCTGACTGTGACTAGTCTGGACAGGACACAA TTGGGTAAAGTCACCAGGCAG 3′ SEQ ID NO:28 pVKLa 5′ ATATGCGGCCGCCTCACCATGGACATGAGGGTGCCCGCGCA GCTCCTGGGGCTGCTGCTGCTCTGGTTCC 3′ SEQ ID NO:29 pVKLb 5′ GCCACCGTACGCTTTGATCTCCAGCTGGAACGGGACCCTGG GAACCAGAGCAGCAGCAGCCCCAG 3′ SEQ ID NO:30 pVLLa5 5′ ATATGCGGCCGCCTCACCATG 3′ SEQ ID NO:31 pVLLa3 5′ ACCTAGGACGGTTAACTTTGATCTCCAGCTGGAAC 3′ SEQ ID NO:32

Example 2 Creation of Human Cassettes

The human heavy chain constant region, human IgG1-WT, was constructed by a standard PCR reaction of human splenic cDNA (Invitrogen) with the primers pCHhum1 and pCHhum2 (Table 2). The primer pCHhum1 contains the cloning site BlpI within its 5′ sequence and the primer pCHhum2 contains a stop codon followed by the cloning site XbaI. Utilization of these primers resulted in generation of the human constant region sequences shown in SEQ ID NO:7 & 8.

The human IgG1-WT cassette, named PLKTOK55, was then created by cloning the nVHL fragment together with the IgG1 fragment into the expression vector pLKTOK10 which contains an EF-1a promoter and a BGH polyadenylation region flanking the cloning site (FIG. 3). This method was used to create all the described heavy chain cassettes.

The entire region of promoter through polyadenylation region is flanked with BglII and BamHI restriction enzyme sites. This allows the entire cassette to be transferred to a second expression vector that contains a light chain cassette to create the complete expression vector to which any variable regions can be added.

The human heavy chain constant region human IgG1-FCRmut, was constructed by PCR assembly to add the mutations L235A and G237A to human IgG1 (primers shown in Table 2).

PCR assembly is a series of three PCR reaction with the end result being rapid site-directed mutagenisis (a simplified method of procedure is described in Bendig, M. M. and Jones, S. T., Rodent to human antibodies by CDR grafting (pgs 161-164) in Antibody Engineering. Eds J. McCafferty, H. R. Hoogenboom and D. J. Chiswell; IRL Press, Oxford, U.K. 1996, which is incorporated herein by reference). The first reaction was a standard 30 cycle PCR to produce two fragments with the primers pCHhum1 to pCHhum3 (section 1) and pCHhum4 to pCHhum2 (section 2). The two fragments were gel purified and combined in equal molar ratios for assembly through 8 cycles of 94° C. for 1.5 min and 72° C. for 2.5 min with a 30 second ramping time between each. The material from this reaction was used as a template to amplify the combined cDNA using the primers pCHhum1 and pCHhum2. The primers pCHhum3 and pCHhum4 contain 24 overlapping bases of complementary sequence and the DNA sequences for the mutated protein. As before pCHhum1 contains BlpI and pCHhum2 contains XbaI. The amplified fragment was TA cloned and sequenced to select for the desired clone. The resulting DNA and encoded amino acid sequences are shown in SEQ ID NOs: 9 & 10.

Cloning the nVHL fragment together with the IgG1 fragment into the expression vector pLKTOK10 then created the human IgG1-FcRmut cassette named pLKTOK56 (FIG. 3).

The human kappa constant region was created by standard PCR amplification of human cDNA with the primers pCK1 and pCK2 (Table 2). The 5′ primer pCK1 contains the sequence for the BsiWI cloning site and the 3′ primer pCK2 contains the XbaI cloning site flanking the stop codon.

This was followed by silent mutation of the sequence encoding the BlpI restriction enzyme at position 180 by site directed mutagenesis using the primer pCK4 and the Transformer Site-Directed Mutagenesis Kit produced by CloneTech (Palo Alto, Calif.). This BlpI site would interfere with the cloning of the VH gene into the heavy chain cassette. Resulting sequences are depicted in SEQ ID NOS: 11 and 12.

Cloning the nVKL fragment together with the CKappa fragment into the expression vector pLKTOK10 then created the human C Kappa cassette, named pLKTOK57 (FIG. 4). This method was used to create all the described human and macaque kappa light chain cassettes.

The human lambda cassette was based on CL-2 that is the most commonly found CL in the sera of humans. It was cloned by standard PCR amplification of human splenic cDNA with the primers pCL1 and pCL2 (Table 2). The 5′ primer pCL1 contains the sequence for the HpaI cloning site and the 3′ primer pCL2 contains the XbaI cloning site flanking the stop codon. Resulting sequences are shown in SEQ ID NOS: 13 and 14.

Cloning the nVLL fragment together with the CLambda fragment into the expression vector pLKTOK10 then created the human C Lambda cassette, named pLKTOK72 (FIG. 5). TABLE 2 Primers used to create constant regions. PRIMER DESCRIPTION SEQUENCE pCHhum1 5′ human IgG1 5′ AGTCAGCTCAGCCTCCACC AAGGGCCCATC 3′ SEQ ID NO:33 pCHhum2 3′ human IgG1 5′ TGCTCTAGATTATTTACCC GGAGACAGGGAGAGGCTC 3′ SEQ ID NO:34 pCHhum3 1st mutation of FcR 5′ GGAAGACTGACGGTGCCCC region CGCGAGTTCAGGTGCTGGGCA 3′ SEQ ID NO:35 pCHhum4 2nd mutation of FcR 5′ CCTGAACTCGCGGGGGCAC region CGTCAGTCTTCCTCTTCC 3′ SEQ ID NO:36 pIgGrh1 5′ macaque IgG1 5′ ACTAGTCACAGTCAGCTCA GCCTCCACCAAGGGCCCATCGG TCTTCCCCCTG 3′ SEQ ID NO:37 pIgGrh4 3′ macaque IgG1 5′ GCTCTAGATTATTTACCCG GAGACAGGGAGAGGC 3′ SEQ ID NO:38 pIgGcy2 1st mutation of FcR 5′ CTGACGGTGCCCCCGCGAG region TTCAGGTGCTGGGCACGGTGGG CACGTG 3′ SEQ ID NO:39 pIgGcy3 2nd mutation of FcR 5′ CCGTGCCCAGCACCTGAAC region TCGCGGGGGCACCGTCAGTCTT CCTCTTC 3′ SEQ ID NO:40 pCHmur1 5′ mouse IgG2a 5′ AGTCAGCTCAGCCAAAACA ACAGCCCCATCGGTCTATC 3′ SEQ ID NO:41 pCHmur4 3′ mouse IgG2a 5′ TGCTCTAGATTATTTACCC AGAGACCGGGAGATGGTC 3′ SEQ ID NO:42 pCHmur2 1st silent removal 5′ GGTGTGCACACCACTGGAC of BamHI site. AGGGAGCCAGAGTTCCAGGTC 3′ SEQ ID NO:43 pCHmur3 2nd silent removal 5′ CTCTGGCTCCCTGTCCAGT of BamHI site GGTGTGCACACCTTCCCAGCTC TCCTG 3′ SEQ ID NO:44 pCHmur5 1st mutation first 5′ TGAAGACGGATGGTGCACC FcR region TGCGAGGTCTGGAGCTGCGCA 3′ SEQ ID NO:45 pCHmur6 2nd mutation first 5′ GACCTCGCAGGTGCACCAT FcR region CCGTCCA 3′ SEQ ID NO:46 pCHmur7 1st mutation second 5′ CCTTGCATTTGAATGCCTT FcR region GCCACTCATCCAGTCCTGGTGC TG 3′ SEQ ID NO:47 pCHmur8 2nd mutation second 5′ GTGGCAAGGCATTCAAATGC FcR region AAGGTCAACAACAG 3′ SEQ ID NO:48 pCK1 5′ human C Kappa 5′ TCAAAGCGTACGGTGGCTG CACCATCTGTC 3′ SEQ ID NO:49 pCK2 3′ human C Kappa 5′ GCTGCTCTAGACTAACACT CTCCCCTGTTGAA 3′ SEQ ID NO:50 pCK4 silent removal of 5′ GCACCCTGACCCTGAGCAA BlpI site AG 3′ SEQ ID NO:51 pCL1 5′ human C Lambda 5′ ATAAGAATGCGGCCGCAAG TTAACCGTCCTAGGTCAGCCCA AGGCTG 3′ SEQ ID NO:52 pCL2 3′ human C Lambda 5′ GCTCTAGACTATGAACATT CTGTAGGGGC 3′ SEQ ID NO:53 pIgKcy1 5′ macaque C Kappa 5′ GCGGCCGCCGTACGGTGGC TGCACCATCTGTC 3′ SEQ ID NO:54 pIgKcy4 3′ macaque C Kappa 5′ TGCTCTAGACTAACACTCT CCCCTGTTGAAGCTC 3′ SEQ ID NO:55 pIgKcy2 1st silent removal 5′ GTCTGTGCTGCTCAACGTC of BlpI site AGGGTGCTGCTCAGGCTG 3′ SEQ ID NO:56 pIgKcy3 2nd silent removal 5′ GCACCCTGACGTTGAGCAG of BlpI site CACAGACTACCAGAG 3′ SEQ ID NO:57 pCKmur1 5′ mouse C Kappa 5′ TCCCAGGGTCCCGTTCCGC TGATGCTGCACCAACTGTATCG ATATTCCCACCATCCAGTGAGC AG 3′ SEQ ID NO:58 pCKmur2 3′ mouse C Kappa 5′ TGCTCTAGATTAACACTCA TTCCTGTTGAAGCTCTTG 3′ SEQ ID NO:59

Example 3 Creation of Macaque Cassettes

Published sequences for the cynomologous and rhesus macaques IgG1 cDNA's were different at 3 amino acids so cDNA for IgG1 isolated from PBLs from both monkey species (See, e.g., Calvas P, et al. Characterization of the three immunoglobulin G subclasses of macaques. 1999 Scand J Immunol 49(6):595-610; and Lewis A P, et al. Cloning and sequence analysis of kappa and gamma cynomolgus monkey immunoglobulin cDNAs. 1993. Dev Comp Immunol 17(6):549-60). Sequencing analysis determined that the reported differences did not truly exist so a single macaque IgG1 cassette could be created for use in both monkey species.

The macaque heavy chain constant region, macaque IgG1-WT, was constructed by a standard PCR reaction of rhesus PBL cDNA with the primers pIgGrh1 and pIgGrh4 (Table 2). The primer pIgGrh1 contains the cloning site BlpI within its 5′ sequence and the primer pIgGrh4 contains a stop codon followed by the cloning site XbaI. Resultant sequences are depicted in SEQ ID NOS: 15 and 16.

Cloning the nVHL fragment together with the macaque IgG1-WT fragment into the expression vector pLKTOK10 then created the macaque IgG1-WT cassette, named pLKTOK65 (FIG. 3).

The FcR mutated version of the macaque IgG1 was created by a protocol similar to that described for the human IgG1-FcRmut (pLKTOK56). In addition to the primers pIgGrh1 and pIgGrh4, the mutations L235A and G237A were added by PCR assembly using the primers pIgGcy2 and pIgGcy3 (Table 2). Resultant sequences are depicted in SEQ ID NOS: 17 & 18.

Cloning the nVHL fragment together with the macaque IgG1-FcRmut fragment into the expression vector pLKTOK10 (FIG. 3), then created the macaque IgG1-FcRmut cassette named pLKTOK66.

Although different C Kappa genes were published for the rhesus and cynomologous macaques, both cDNAs were isolated from PBL cDNA of both monkeys, suggesting that either C Kappa would be non-immunogenic in both monkeys. For that reason, a single macaque C Kappa cassette was created.

The macaque C Kappa region, macaque CK, was constructed by a standard PCR reaction of cynomologous PBL cDNA with the primers pIgKcy1 and pIgKcy4 (Table 2). The primer pIgGrh1 contains the cloning site BlpI within its 5′ sequence and the primer pIgGrh4 contains a stop codon followed by the cloning site XbaI. A BlpI restriction enzyme site at position 180 was silently mutated by a protocol similar to that described for the human IgG1-FcRmut (pLKTOK56). In addition to the primers pIgKcy1 and pIgKcy4, a silent mutation was added by PCR assembly using the primers pIgKcy2 and pIgKcy3 (Table 2). Resultant sequences are shown in SEQ ID NOS: 19 and 20.

Cloning the nVKL fragment together with the macaque CKappa fragment into the expression vector pLKTOK10 (FIG. 4), then created the macaque CKappa cassette named pLKTOK67.

Example 4 Creation of Mouse Cassettes

The murine heavy chain constant region, mouse IgG2a-WT, was constructed from the C57BL/6 splenic cDNA. Mouse IgG2a was selected because it is similar in sequence structure and function to human IgG1. As C57BL/6 IgG2a cDNA contains a BamHI restriction site at position 156, the construct with the silent mutation was created by PCR assembly as described for human IgG1-FcRmut. The primer pCHmur1 contains the cloning site BlpI within its 5′ sequence and the primer pCHmur4 contains a stop codon followed by the cloning site XbaI. The silent mutation was encoded in the primers pCHmur2 and pCHmur3 (Table 2) (SEQ ID NO: 21 & 22).

Cloning the nVHL fragment together with the murine IgG2a fragment into the expression vector pLKTOK10 (FIG. 3) then created the murine IgG2a-WT cassette, named pLKTOK60.

The mouse IgG2a is believed to have two regions that can interact with Fc receptors (Issac) and both were removed by PCR assembly. The primers pCHmur5 and pCHmur6 created the mutations L235A and G237A. The primers pCHmur7 and pCHmur8 created the mutation E318A. These primers, along with the primers pCHmur1 and pCHmur4, allowed the creation of murine IgG2a-FcRmut (Table 2) (SEQ ID NO: 23 & 24).

Cloning the nVHL fragment together with the murine IgG2a-FcRmut fragment into the expression vector pLKTOK10 (FIG. 3) then created the murine IgG2a-FcRmut cassette, named pLKTOK61.

The murine kappa constant region was created by standard PCR amplification of murine C57BU6 splenic cDNA with the primers pCKmur1 and pCKmur2 (Table 2) (SEQ ID NO: 25 & 26). Instead of the cloning site BsiWI, the 5′ primer pCKmur1 contains the sequence for the ClaI cloning site and the 3′ primer pCKmur2 contains the XbaI cloning site flanking the stop codon.

Cloning the nVKL fragment together with the murine CKappa fragment into the expression vector pLKTOK10 (FIG. 4), then created the murine C Kappa cassette, named pLKTOK62.

Example 5 Creation of Combined Immunoglobulin DNA Cassette Vectors

A pcDNA3 was used as a backbone vector which contains the gene for resistance to G418 (NEO) to allow for easy selection in research conditions. The SpeI restriction site was eliminated from pcDNA3 by site directed mutagenesis. The EF-1a promoter from the plasmid pcDEF3 (originally pBOS) was inserted into pcDNA3, thus eliminating the CMV promoter.

A BamHI site in the pcDNA3 cloning linker and an Mfe I cloning site within the EF-1a promoter were removed using site directed mutagenesis, and a BamHI site was added 3′ in the polyA region. This allowed the combination of the heavy and light chain active regions in a single vector and would allow for the addition of any other selectable marker including the gene cassette DHFR that confers resistance to methyltrexate.

The heavy chain cassettes (including its promoter and polyadenylation region) were subcloned from the various single cassette vectors into their corresponding light chain cassette vectors to create the combined two cassette vectors (FIG. 6). The combinations are summarized in Table 3. All the combination vectors had a similar overall structure that is shown in FIG. 7.

The pLKTOK58 vector, created by combining pLKTOK55 and pLKTOK57, can be used to produce an antibody that contains a human kappa constant region and human IgG1 constant region in its native form. The pLKTOK59 vector, created by combining pLKTOK56 and pLKTOK57, can be used to produce an antibody that contains a human kappa constant region and a human IgG1-FcRmut constant region contains the mutations at positions L235A and G237A. These mutations inhibit the binding of the constant region to human Fc receptors and inhibit the initiation of ADCC reactions. Such mutation have been described previously in U.S. Pat. No. 5,985,279 and International Publication No.: WO98/06248, which are incorporated herein by reference. The pLKTOK92 and pLKTOK73 vectors, created by combining pLKTOK55 or pLKTOK56 and pLKTOK72, can be used to produce antibodies that contain human lambda constant regions and either human IgG1-WT (pLKTOK92) or human IgG1-FcRmut (pLKTOK73).

The vectors pLKTOK68 and pLKTOK69, created by combining pLKTOK65 or pLKTOK66 and pLKTOK67, can be used to produce antibodies that contain a macaque kappa constant region and macaque IgG1 constant region. The constant region of pLKTOK68 is IgG1-WT for both cynomologous and rhesus macaques. The constant region of pLKTOK69 is IgG1-FcRmut that contains the L235A and G237A mutations and theoretically should inhibit the binding of the constant region to macaque FC receptors. The kappa constant region is one of the two kappa constant regions expressed by both the cynomologous and rhesus macaques thus should be recognized as native by both monkey species.

The vectors pLKTOK63 and pLKTOK64, created by combining pLKTOK60 or pLKTOK61 and pLKTOK62, can be used to produce antibodies that contain a mouse kappa constant region and mouse C57BL/6 IgG2a constant region. The constant region of pLKTOK63 is the native conformation of IgG2a in mouse and is the allotype most closely matched in structure and function to human IgG1. The constant region of pLKTOK64 contains the murine IgG1 with the mutations at positions L235A and G237A (for Fc region I) and E318A (for Fc region II) to inhibit the binding of the constant region to mouse FC receptors and inhibit the initiation of ADCC reactions (See, Isaacs J D, et al. Therapy with monoclonal antibodies. II. The contribution of Fc gamma receptor binding and the influence of C(H)1 and C(H)3 domains on in vivo effector function. 1998. J. Immunol. 161(8):3862-9.) TABLE 3 Composition of combined expression vectors. HEAVY LIGHT COMBINED CHAIN HEAVY CHAIN CHAIN LIGHT CHAIN VECTOR VECTOR COMPOSITION VECTOR COMPOSITION pLKTOK58 pLKTOK55 nVHL - pLKTOK57 nVKL - Human IgG1-WT Human C Kappa pLKTOK59 pLKTOK56 nVHL - pLKTOK57 nVKL - Human IgG1-FcRmut Human C Kappa pLKTOK92 pLKTOK55 nVHL - pLKTOK72 nVLL - Human IgG1-WT Human C Lambda pLKTOK73 pLKTOK56 nVHL - pLKTOK72 nVLL - Human IgG1-FcRmut Human C Lambda pLKTOK68 pLKTOK65 nVHL - pLKTOK67 nVKL - Macaque IgG1-WT Macaque C Kappa pLKTOK69 pLKTOK66 nVHL - pLKTOK67 nVKL - Macaque IgG1-FcRmut Macaque C Kappa pLKTOK63 pLKTOK60 nVHL - pLKTOK62 nVKL - Mouse IgG2a-WT Mouse C Kappa pLKTOK64 pLKTOK61 nVHL - pLKTOK62 nVKL - Mouse IgG2a-FcRmut Mouse C Kappa

Example 6 Creation of DNA Cassette Insert Sequences: Adapting Antibody Variable Regions

To test these vectors by creating intact antibodies, the variable regions from the monoclonal antibody 1D9 were PCR adapted to add the desired restriction enzyme sites (MfeI and BlpI for the VH, PpuMI and BsiWI for the human and macaque VK and PpuMI and ClaI for the mouse VK. The 1D9 antibodies have been described previously in International Publication Nos: WO 00/05265 and WO 01/57226, which are incorporated herein by reference. Once adapted, these and any other set of variable regions could be cloned into the various expression vectors.

The primers for the VH region are designed such that the 5′ primer includes the 7 codons at the end of the VH leader (including the Mfe I restriction enzyme) and the first 7-9 codons of the hybridoma VH. The 3′ primer included 7-9 codons of the hybridoma VH followed by 3 codons of the IgG1 constant region (including the BlpI restriction enzyme). Primers used for adapting variable regions are demonstrated in Table 4, (upper case letters depict identical sequences for all antibodies encoded in vectors; lower case letters are determined by the sequence of the individual antibody).

The primers for the VK region are designed such that the 5′ primer includes the 6 codons at the end of the VK leader (including the PpuM I restriction enzyme) and the first 7-9 codons of the hybridoma VK (Table 4). The human 3′ primer included 7-9 codons of the hybridoma VH followed by 4 codons of the human kappa constant region (including the BsiWI restriction enzyme). The mouse 3′ primer included 7-9 codons of the hybridoma VH followed by 12 codons of the mouse kappa constant region (including the ClaI restriction enzyme) (Table 4). The primers used to adapt the hybridoma 1D9 VH gene were n1D9VH5 and n1D9VH3. The primers used to adapt the hybridoma 1D9 VK gene were n1D9VK5 and n1D9VK3. The adapted 1D9 VH and VK genes were cloned into the vectors in standard two step cloning to create the complete plasmids (FIG. 8). TABLE 4 Primers to adapt 1D9 VH and VK for cloning into all expression vectors. (Upper case letters are identical for all antibodies. Lower case letters are determined by the sequence of the individual antibody.) PRIMER SEQUENCE n1D9VH5 5′ TTACCCAATTGTGTCCTGTCCgaggtgcagcttgtt gagtctg 3′ SEQ ID NO:60 n1D9VH3 5′ GTTTTAGGCTGAGCTgacggtgaccgtggtccctg tg 3′ SEQ ID NO:61 n1D9VK5 5′ TTCCCAGGGTCCCGTTCCgatgttgtgatgacccag act 3′ SEQ ID NO:62 n1D9VKhum3 5′ AGCCACCGTACGCtttatttccagcttggtcc 3′ SEQ ID NO:63 n1D9VKmur3 5′ TGGGAATATCGATACAGTTGGTGCAGCATCAGCACG Ctttatttccagcttggtcc 3′ SEQ ID NO:64

Example 7 Testing the System: Determining Relative Rates of Antibody Production

The protein production level, the rate of correct folding and the rate of transportation out of cells determine high production of secreted proteins. A major component of protein production is the function of its promoter.

For the successful folding and transport of antibodies out of cell, two proteins must be produced and properly associate. It is believed that having similar concentrations of the heavy and light chains may assist in the association, folding and transportation of the antibodies. An excess of one antibody chain within a cell can lead to cell death. We believed that creating cassettes in which each antibody chain had its own promoter through polyadenylation site would increase the likely-hood of equivalent protein production of the two chains. This system also uses cDNA inserts that eliminate the need for post-translational modification. The decreased variability may reduce the levels of other RNA species and increase the levels of the desired RNA species.

To test this system and determine optimal promoter combinations, vectors were created with either the CMV or the EF-1a promoters. (See U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,225,348 and 5,266,491; Mizushima S, Nagata S. pEF-BOS, a powerful mammalian expression vector. 1990 Nucleic Acids Res 18(17):5322.) In both cases, restriction sites that would interfere with cloning within these cassettes were removed by site directed mutagenesis. The SpeI cloning site was removed from CMV and the MfeI cloning site was removed from EF-1a. Testing with an EGFP cassette demonstrated these changes did not make any noticeable changes in the general function of the promoters. A vector was also created with a combination of the mutated CMV promoter with the beta-kinesin IRES to see if that increased antibody production.

The vector pcDNA3 was used as a backbone vector because it contains the gene for resistance to G418 (NEO) to allow for easy selection in research conditions. Into this vector was cloned the mutated CMV promoter, the mutated CMV promoter with the beta-kinesin IRES or the mutated EF-1a promoter.

Changes to aid in cloning were made to the vector backbone including the removal of a MfeI cloning site 5′ of the promoter. A BamHI site in the pcDNA3 cloning linker was removed and a BamHI site was added 3′ of the polyadenylation region. This flanking BamHI site allows the transfer of the heavy chain cassettes (as a BglII/BamHI fragment) including their promoters and polyadenylation regions into vectors containing the light chain cassettes. As a single BamHI site remains after the cloning, it allows for the later addition of any other selectable marker including the gene cassette for DHFR, which confers resistance to methotrexate.

Three matched vectors were constructed to test the system. Each was a single vector with a light chain cassette (with its promoter and polyadenylation region) followed by a heavy chain cassette (with its promoter and polyadenylation region). All three vectors contain the 1D9 VK functionally attached to the human C Kappa gene and the 1D9 VH functionally attached to the human IgG1-FcRmut gene by the method described in the construction of the inserts. The vectors differed only in their promoter combination. The vector pLKTOK34 had both the light and heavy chain cassettes driven by the mutated CMV promoter. The vector pLKTOK36 had both the light and heavy chain cassettes driven by the mutated CMV promoter combined with the beta-kinesin IRES. The vector pLKTOK38 had both the light and heavy chain cassettes driven by the mutated EF-1a promoter.

Completed vectors were transfected into CHO cells and selected in G418 media. This media results in the death of all cells that do not contain the gene for Neomycin resistance. After 5 days of selection in G418, cells were trypsinized to make a single cell suspension and plated in 96 well plates at the rate of 1, 5 or 10 cells/well. At 5 days of selection, most of the G418 non-resistant cells will be programmed to die. These clones were expanded and tested repeatedly to determine their ability to retain high production levels.

After 10 days in the 96 well plates, the plates are scored visually to select the wells that contain a single CHO clone. At two weeks, these are tested for their ability to produce and secrete intact antibody as measured by an ELISA that coats the wells with a Fab′ against human heavy and light and develops with Protein A attached to the enzyme HRP.

In various transfections, 50-70% of the tested single clone wells were producing antibody in significant amounts and usually 70%+ would retain production after transfer.

The best clones were tested on their ability to produce antibody over a 5-day period both with and without butyric acid (necessary to amplify CMV production). It was determined that the CMVmut cells produced an average of 0.5 ug/ml without butyric acid treatment and 1.8 ug/ml with butyric acid treatment. The CMVmut/IRES cells produced an average of 0.7 ug/ml without butyric acid treatment and 0.2 ug/ml with butyric acid treatment. The EF-1a cells produced an average of 122.6 ug/ml without butyric acid treatment and 50.2 ug/ml with butyric acid treatment. The results demonstrated that the EF-1a promoter produced 100× the amount of antibody.

It is quite possible that the two chains of the antibody driven by their own promoters and having their own polyadenylation regions allows for the two proteins to be produced at similar rates. Having similar amounts of the two chains probably assists in the correct and rapid association, folding and transportation out of the CHO cells. Functional testing of the antibodies generated demonstrated that the antibodies produced using the present system function in similar fashion to those produced by the original 1D9 hybridoma.

Development of Monobody Constructs.

Two versions of a monobody construct have been developed, using either an IgG1 hinge or IgG3 hinge region. The first, exemplified herein as part of the pLKTOK77 vector is a monobody comprising an intact heavy chain IgG1 and an extended light chain C kappa attached to an IgG1 hinge as well as IgG1 CH2 and CH3 constant regions (FIGS. 11 & 12). The second, exemplified herein as part of the pLKTOK78 vector is a monobody combining a heavy chain comprising a combination IgG3 hinge and CH1 as well as an IgG1 CH2 and CH3 regions and a light chain C kappa attached to an IgG3 hinge and IgG1 CH2 and CH3 constant regions (FIGS. 11 & 13).

Example 8 Construction of pLKTOK77

Monobody DNA cassette constructs were generated, and a heavy chain and extended light chain cassette incorporated into a single vector which is capable of accepting variable sequences of interest to generate a monobody capable of detecting the desired antigen. For creation of the first construct comprising an extended light chain with an IgG1 hinge and constant region, first a heavy chain cassette was created by combining a VH leader or signal sequence with a human IgG1 sequence. Heavy chain sequences were prepared as described for DNA cassettes Examples 1 and 2 supra, to create IgG1FcRmut cassette pLKTOK56. The entire region of promoter through polyadenylation region is flanked with Bgl II and BamHI restriction enzyme sites so the entire cassette can be transferred to a second expression vector that contains the extended light chain cassette to create the complete monobody expression vector to which variable regions can be added.

The extended light chain of pLKTOK77 was created by attaching a light chain leader sequence to a human kappa constant region, and further attaching the light chain constant region to a hinge and the CH2 and CH3 regions of the human IgG1 constant region. The light chain signal sequence was created as in the description of creation of light chain leaders in immunoglobulin DNA cassettes, and modified for incorporation into cassettes (as described in Example 1&2). Between light chain constant region and the IgG constant region, a DNA sequence encoding the linker SGGGGSGGGGSGGGGS was included to allow flexibility between the protein domains and increase the likelihood of stable association and folding (FIG. 11). TABLE 5 Primers used to create monobody constant regions. PRIMER DESCRIPTION SEQUENCE pCHhum1 5′ human IgG1 5′ AGTCAGCTCAGCCTCCACCAAGGG CCCATC 3′ SEQ ID NO:33 pCHhum2 3′ human IgG1 5′ TGCTCTAGATTATTTACCCGGAGA CAGGGAGAGGCTC 3′ SEQ ID NO:34 pCHhum3 1st mutation 5′ GGAAGACTGACGGTGCCCCCGCGA of FcR region GTTCAGGTGCTGGGCA 3′ SEQ ID NO:35 pCHhum4 2nd mutation 5′ CCTGAACTCGCGGGGGCACCGTCA of FcR region GTCTTCCTCTTCC 3′ SEQ ID NO:36 pCK1 5′ human C 5′ TCAAAGCGTACGGTGGCTGCACCA Kappa TCTGTC 3′ SEQ ID NO:49 pCK2 3′ human C 5′ GCTGCTCTAGACTAACACTCTCCC Kappa CTGTTGAA 3′ SEQ ID NO:50 pCK4 silent removal 5′ GCACCCTGACCCTGAGCAAAG 3′ of BlpI site SEQ ID NO:51 pMVa 5′ human IgG3- 5′ GTCAGCTCAGCTTCCACCAAGGGC CH1 CCATCGGTCTTCCCCCTGGCGCCCTG 3′ SEQ ID NO:89 pMVe 3′ linker to 5′ CGATCCACCGCCCCCGCTGCCACC human C Kappa TCCCCCTGAACCCCCGCCTCCACTACA CTCTCCCCTGTTGAAGCT 3′ SEQ ID NO:90 pMVf 5′ linker to 5′ GGTGGCAGCGGGGGCGGTGGATCG human IgG1 TGCCCACCGTGCCCAGCACC 3′ Hinge-CH2-CH3 SEQ ID NO:91 pMVh 3′ adapt human 5′ TTTGGGCTCCGGACACCGCGGGCA C kappa. CGATCCACCG 3′ SEQ ID NO:92 pMVm 3′ adapt human 5′ CGGTGCCCCGGCCAGTTCAGGAGC IgG3 hinge GGGGCACCTTG 3′ SEQ ID NO:93 pMVp 5′ adapt human 5′ GGTGCCCCGCTCCTGAACTGGCCG IgG1 CH2-CH3 GGGCACCGTCAGTCT 3′ (FcRmut) SEQ ID NO:94

The 5′ half of the DNA was constructed by PCR to create the human kappa constant region with an added serine followed by a standard 15 mer (GGGGS) 3 linker and the first 20-30 bases of the human IgG1 hinge. The PCR template was the human kappa constant region in which the sequence encoding the BlpI restriction enzyme at position 180 was removed by site directed mutagenesis using the primer pCK4 and the Transformer Site-Directed Mutagenesis Kit produced by CloneTech (Palo Alto, Calif.). This BlpI site would interfere with the cloning of the VH gene into the heavy chain cassette (see Examples above). The 5′ primer (pCK1) used to amplify the kappa constant contains the DNA sequence for the BsiWI restriction enzyme and the 3′ primer (pMVe) contains the sequence for an added serine followed by a sequence for (GGGGS) 3 and the first 20-30 bases of the human IgG1 hinge. The second half of the DNA was amplified using the template of human IgG1-FCRmut and the primers pMVf and pCHhum2. The primers anneal to the human IgG1 hinge and start with 20-30 bases that complement the linker. The 3′ primer contains the XbaI cloning site flanking the stop codon. The PCR assembly used to create the extended light chain was similar to that described in the construction of the heavy chain. The first two fragments were created by a standard PCR reaction and gel purified. They were then combined in equal molar quantities and assembled and material from this reaction was used as a template to amplify the combined protein using the primers pCK1 and pCHhum2. The resulting produce (1056 bp) was TA cloned and sequenced to determine the correct sequence was produced.

The extended light chain constant region was subcloned with the VKL gene into the pLKTOK10 vector (see above) and the resulting vector called pLKTOK75. The heavy chain cassette with its promoter through poly-adeneylation region was isolated from pLKTOK56 and cloning it into the BamHI region of pLKTOK75 to create pLKTOK77, the final vector (FIG. 12). This created a single plasmid which has both the heavy chain and extended light chain monobody cassettes.

Example 9 Construction of pLKTOK78

Another version of a monobody construct, pLKTOK78, has a similar structure to the first version (pLKTOK77) but has additional flexibility in it folding and stability due to the fact that it contains the CH1 and hinge of human IgG3 (versus human IgG1) in it heavy chain protein and the hinge of the human IgG3 between the kappa constant with the linker and the CH2-CH3 domains of IgG1 (FIGS. 11 & 13). The first section of the heavy chain was created by PCR adaptation of the human IgG3 CH1 and hinge from human splenic cDNA (Invitrogen) to include restriction cloning sites. The 5′ primer (pMVa) contains the BlpI restriction site for cloning of the VH genes and the 3′ primer (pMVm) contains the start of the IgG1 CH2 with the sequence for the restriction enzyme EaeI. The second section of the heavy chain was created by PCR adaptation of the IgG1 CH2-CH3-FCRmut to include restriction cloning sites. Its 5′ primer (pMVp) contains the sequence for the restriction enzyme EaeI within the start of the IgG1 CH2 and its 3′ primer was pCHhum2 that contains the XbaI cloning site. The two resulting PCR products were TA cloned and individual clones sequenced to select for the clones with the desired sequences. These fragments were subcloned with the VHL gene into the expression vector pLKTOK10 to create pLKTOK74.

The extended light chain of pLKTOK78 was created by PCR adaptation of three fragments with added restriction enzyme sites that allowed the three fragments to be cloned together. The kappa constant region with the attached serine and 15-mer linker were amplified with the primers pCK1 (contains restriction enzyme BsiWI) and pMVh (contains the restriction enzyme SacII) using as template the CK without the BlpI restriction site.

To remove the three DNA repeats within the human IgG3 hinge that frequently self-splice during PCR, a new DNA sequence to encode the human IgG3 hinge was created which removes these DNA repeats. This DNA was created with 4 overlapping primers, Pr9a, Pr9b, Pr9c and Pr9d. Pr9a has 22 bases of complimentary DNA with Pr9b, which has 13 bases of complimentary DNA with Pr9C, which has 23 bases of complimentary DNA with Pr9d. These 4 primers were combined in equal molar ratios to anneal and amplifying with Taq polymerase in a reaction 94° C. for 2 minutes followed by of 20 cycles of 94° C. for 2 minutes and 72° C. for 2.5 minutes with 30 second ramping and finishing with 72° C. for 10 minutes. The result of this reaction was amplified with the primers Pr9e and Pr9f that produced a fragment that was TA cloned and sequenced. The primers Pr9e and Pr9f contains the cloning sites SacII and EaeI respectively to allow the new hinge to be cloned between the CK and the IgG1 CH2-CH3. New_Pr9 SEQ ID NO:103 TCGTGCCCGCGGTGTCCGGAGCCCAAATCTTGTGACACACCTCCCCCGTG CCCTAGATGTCCAGAGCCGAAATCGTGTGACACTCCACCGCCCTGTCCAC GCTGCCCTGAACCAAAGAGCTGCGATACGCCGCCTCCATGTCCAAGGTGC CCCGCTCCTGAACTGGCCGGGGCACCG New Pr9 protein sequence SEQ ID NO:104 SCPRCPEPKSCDTPPPCPRCPEPKSCDTPPPCPRCPEPKSCDTPPPCPRC PAPELAGAP

The IgG1 CH2-CH3-FCRmut fragment was PCR adapted with the primers pMVp (contains an EaeI restriction site) and pCHhum2 (contains a XbaI restriction site) (FIG. 13). The resulting PCR fragment was TA cloned and sequenced. The entire extended light chain was created by cloning the three fragments—kappa constant/linker (BsiWi/SacII), IgG3 hinge (SacII/EaeI) and the IgG1 CH2—CH3-FCRm (EaeI/XbaI) along with the VKL (EcoRI/BsiWI) into the pLKTOK10 expression vector to create the vector named pLKTOK76 (FIG. 13; SEQ ID NO: 109). The heavy chain cassette with its promoter through poly-adeneylation region was isolated from pLKTOK74 and cloned into the BamHI site of pLKTOK76 to create pLKTOK78, the final vector (FIG. 13). This created a single plasmid that has both the heavy chain and extended light chain monobody cassettes. TABLE 6 Primers to create new IgG3 Hinge for pLTOK76 PRIMER SEQUENCE pPr9a 5′ TCGTGCCCGCGGTGTCCGGAGCCCAAATCTTGTGACACACC TCCCCCGTGCCCTAGATGTCCAGAGCCGAAATCG 3′ SEQ ID NO:95 pPr9b 5′ CAGGGCGGTGGAGTGTCACACGATTTCGGCTCTGGACATCT A 3′ SEQ ID NO:96 pPr9c 5′ CACTCCACCGCCCTGTCCACGCTGCCCTGAACCAAAGAGCT 3′ SEQ ID NO:97 pPr9d 5′ CGGTGCCCCGGCCAGTTCAGGAGCGGGGCACCTTGGACATG GAGGCGGCGTATCGCAGCTCTTTGGTTCAGGGCAGCGT 3′ SEQ ID NO:98 pPr9e 5′ TCGTGCCCGCGGTGTCCGGAGCCCAAATCT 3′ SEQ ID NO:99 pPr9f 5′ CGGTGCCCCGGCCAGTTCAGGAGC 3′ SEQ ID NO:100

Example 10 Monobody Construction and Preparation

To create a monobody, variable regions from the antibody 1D9 were PCR adapted to add the desired restriction enzyme sites (MfeI and BlpI for VH and PpuMI and BsiWI for VK), as described in Example 6, supra. Prepared fragments cloned into the Monobody DNA cassette plasmid pLKTOK77. The adapted 1D9 VH and VK genes were cloned into the vector pLKTOK77 in a standard two step cloning to create the pLKTOK77-1D9 plasmid. To create the second monobody, the adapted variable regions from the antibody 1D9 were cloned into the pLKTOK78 plasmid in the same manner as described for pLKTOK77 in a standard two step cloning to create the pLKTOK78-1D9 plasmid.

The pLKTOK77-1D9 or pLKTOK78-1D9 was transfected into CHO cells by standard Calcium phosphate precipitation, selected with G418 and single monobody producing clones isolated. The presence of intact monobody was determined by the presence of protein in the supernatant that was captured on an ELISA plate by anti-human Fc and visualized with enzyme linked protein A. Because of the nature of the protein, the monobody could be produced and purified by the standard methods of production and purification of intact antibodies.

Example 11 Determination of Monobody Structure and Function

The structure and function of the monobodies were determined by standard techniques including non-reduced and reduced gradient acrylamide gels that were then Western probed for the presence of human IgG1 and human kappa constant region. Gels were run in non-reducing conditions on a 4-20% gradient Tris-Glycine gel with the heavy chain detected with anti-human IgG, and the light chain detected with anti-human CK. Four individual monobody preps were compared with a chimeric 1D9 antibody. The estimated Molecular Weight (MW) for an intact antibody is 150 KDa with the heavy chain 49 KDa and the light chain 25 KDa. Both the heavy chain and the extended light chain of the monobody would be about 49 KDa with a combined weight of about 100 KDa, as estimated molecular weights. Both the heavy and the extended light chains migrate at approximately 50 KDa and the monobody has a MW approximately ⅔ the weight of an antibody, as predicted.

Purified monobodies were run on isolectric focusing gels to determine their pI. The estimated pI for the extended light chain is 7.42 and 8.8 for the heavy chain. The estimated combined pI for the monobody is 8.0. The IEF gel shows a pI of about 7.6-7.8 which suggests a product containing a single extended light chain with a single heavy chain. The difference (as compared to the estimate of 8.0) may be due to the gylcosylation of both the heavy and extended light chains of the monobody constructs.

The ability of monobody to bind the target protein of 1D9(CCR2) was determined by their ability to bind human monocytes (gated with anti-CD14-FITC) (FIG. 14). Their presence could be determined with anti-human IgG-PE. FIG. 14 demonstrates the results of FACS analysis of monobody constructs in comparison with standard 1D9 antibody. The similar binding profiles suggest that the variable regions of the monobody are able to fold correctly and bind to CCR2 as effectively as intact antibody.

All documents cited throughout this application including references, pending patent applications and published patents, are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described using specific terms, such description are for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents of the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the following claims. 

1. An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising an immunoglobulin cassette construct, wherein the immunoglobulin cassette comprises an immunoglobulin leader molecule operably linked to a stable immunoglobulin domain region. 2-9. (canceled)
 10. An isolated nucleic acid molecule of claim 1 comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 65, SEQ ID NO: 67, SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 73, SEQ ID NO: 75, SEQ ID NO: 77, SEQ ID NO: 79, SEQ ID NO: 81, SEQ ID NO: 66, SEQ ID NO: 68, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 72, SEQ ID NO: 74, SEQ ID NO: 76, SEQ ID NO: 78, SEQ ID NO: 80, SEQ ID NO: 82, or a sequence at least 85%, identical thereto.
 11. An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising immunoglobulin cassette insert sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:83, SEQ ID NO: 84, SEQ ID NO: 85, SEQ ID NO: 86, SEQ ID NO 87, SEQ ID NO:88, or a sequence at least 85% identical thereto.
 12. An isolated DNA cassette expression vector comprising one or more DNA immunoglobulin cassette molecules of claim
 1. 13-14. (canceled)
 15. A recombinant host cell comprising the expression vector of claim
 12. 16-17. (canceled)
 18. A method of synthesizing a DNA vector capable of encoding an immunoglobulin comprising: synthesizing one or more immunoglobulin DNA cassettes wherein an immunoglobulin leader sequence is operably linked to a stable immunoglobulin domain, wherein the operable linkage includes a cloning site; introducing one or more immunoglobulin DNA cassettes into an expression vector; and incorporating insert sequences into the cloning site of one or more immunoglobulin DNA cassettes; wherein incorporation of insert sequences results in formation of DNA sequences encoding a desired immunoglobulin molecule.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein two immunoglobulin DNA cassettes are incorporated into the expression vector, wherein a first immunoglobulin DNA cassette comprises a heavy chain immunoglobulin and a second immunoglobulin DNA cassette comprises a light chain immunoglobulin.
 20. A DNA expression vector comprising nucleic acid sequences encoding one or more immunoglobulin molecules wherein the DNA vector is synthesized by the method of claim
 18. 21. A transfected cell line capable of producing an antibody comprising a DNA expression vector of claim
 8. 22. An improved method of antibody production, comprising: providing a first nucleic acid encoding a light chain immunoglobulin comprising a light chain leader sequence operably linked to a light chain variable region operably linked to a light chain constant region; and providing a second nucleic acid encoding a heavy chain immunoglobulin comprising a heavy chain leader sequence operably linked to a heavy chain variable region operably linked to a heavy chain constant region immunoglobulin; and introducing the nucleic acids into a host cell under conditions that allow expression and assembly of said light and heavy chain immunoglobulins to produce a functional antibody preparation. 23-26. (canceled)
 27. A method of production of a battery of antibodies having identical antigen specificity and variable effector functions comprising: isolating immunoglobulin light and heavy chain DNA variable domain insert sequences having the desired antigen specificity; providing a selection of expression vectors comprising immunoglobulin DNA cassette vectors, wherein the selection includes cassette vectors having different stable immunoglobulin light and heavy chain constant domains having variable effector functions; incorporating the immunoglobulin DNA variable domain insert sequences into the cloning site of the DNA cassettes; and introducing the resulting DNA expression vectors into a suitable host cell under conditions that allow expression and assembly of resulting light and heavy chain immunoglobulins to produce functional antibody preparation; wherein resultant expressed antibodies comprises a battery of antibodies having identical antigen specificity and variable effector function. 28-31. (canceled)
 32. A method of production of a battery of antibodies having identical effector function and variable antigen specificity comprising: isolating immunoglobulin light and heavy chain DNA variable domain insert sequences having variable antigen specificity; providing expression vector comprising immunoglobulin DNA cassette vectors, wherein the vector comprises stable immunoglobulin light and heavy chain constant domains having a desired effector function; incorporating the immunoglobulin DNA variable domain insert sequences into the cloning site of the DNA cassettes; and introduction of resulting DNA expression vectors into a suitable host cell under conditions that allow expression and assembly of resulting light and heavy chain immunoglobulins to produce functional antibody preparation; wherein resultant expressed antibodies comprises a battery of antibodies having variable antigen specificity and identical effector function. 33-36. (canceled)
 37. An antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof made by introducing a DNA expression vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a human IgG1 heavy chain constant region sequence of SEQ ID NO:10, and a nucleic acid sequence encoding a humanized 1D9 heavy chain variable region into a host cell under conditions that allow expression and assembly of said immunoglobulins.
 38. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 37, wherein the expression vector further comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a human light chain constant region.
 39. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 38, wherein the human light chain constant region is a kappa light chain constant region.
 40. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 37, wherein the expression vector further comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a humanized 1D9 light chain variable region.
 41. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 40, wherein the expression vector further comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a human light chain constant region.
 42. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 41, wherein the human light chain constant region is a kappa light chain constant region.
 43. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 37, wherein the IgG1 heavy chain constant region nucleic acid sequence comprises the heavy chain constant region encoding nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:9.
 44. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 38 or 42, wherein the kappa light chain constant region nucleic acid sequence encodes the light chain constant region sequence of SEQ ID NO:12.
 45. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 44, wherein the kappa light chain constant region nucleic acid sequence comprises the light chain constant region encoding nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:11.
 46. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 37, wherein the nucleic acid sequence encoding the heavy chain constant region and the nucleic acid encoding the humanized heavy chain variable region are operably linked to a promoter selected from the group consisting of a EF-1a promoter, a CMV promoter, an SV40 promoter, and an adenovirus major late promoter.
 47. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 46, wherein the promoter is a EF-1a promoter.
 48. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 47, wherein the nucleic acid sequence encoding the heavy chain constant region and the nucleic acid sequence encoding the humanized heavy chain variable region are under control of the same promoter.
 49. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 47 or 48, wherein the vector further comprises a BGH poly A sequence.
 50. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 49, wherein the BGH polyA sequence is downstream from the sequence encoding the heavy chain constant region.
 51. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 37, wherein the nucleic acid sequence encoding the heavy chain constant region further comprises an immunoglobulin leader sequence.
 52. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 39 or 42, wherein the nucleic acid sequence encoding the light chain constant region further comprises an immunoglobulin leader sequence.
 53. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 37, wherein the nucleic acid sequence encoding the humanized heavy chain variable region further comprises an immunoglobulin leader sequence.
 54. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 40 or 42, wherein the nucleic acid sequence encoding the humanized light chain variable region further comprises an immunoglobulin leader sequence.
 55. An antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof made by introducing a DNA expression vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding the heavy chain constant region sequence of SEQ ID NO:10, a nucleic acid sequence encoding a humanized 1D9 heavy chain variable region, a nucleic acid encoding the light chain constant region sequence of SEQ ID NO:12, and a nucleic acid sequence encoding a humanized 1D9 light chain variable region into a host cell under conditions that allow expression and assembly of said immunoglobulins.
 56. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 55, wherein the nucleic acid sequence encoding the heavy chain constant region and the nucleic acid sequence encoding the humanized heavy chain variable region are operably linked to an EF-1a promoter.
 57. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 55, wherein the nucleic acid sequence encoding the light chain constant region and the nucleic acid sequence encoding the humanized light chain variable region are operably linked to an EF-1a promoter.
 58. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 56, wherein the nucleic acid sequence encoding the light chain constant region and the nucleic acid sequence encoding the humanized light chain variable region are operably linked to an EF-1a promoter.
 59. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 55, 56, 57 or 58, wherein the vector further comprises a BGH poly A sequence.
 60. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 59, wherein the BGH polyA sequence is downstream from the sequence encoding the heavy chain constant region.
 61. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 55, wherein the nucleic acid encoding the humanized heavy chain variable region further comprises an immunoglobulin leader sequence.
 62. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 55, wherein the nucleic acid sequence encoding the humanized light chain variable region further comprises an immunoglobulin leader sequence.
 63. An antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof made by: i) providing a first nucleic acid encoding a light chain immunoglobulin comprising a light chain leader sequence operably linked to a humanized 1D9 light chain variable region operably linked to the light chain constant region encoding nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:11; ii) providing a second nucleic acid encoding a heavy chain immunoglobulin comprising a heavy chain leader sequence operably linked to a humanized 1D9 heavy chain variable region operably linked to the human IgG1 heavy chain constant region encoding nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:9; and iii) introducing the nucleic acids into a host cell under conditions that allow expression and assembly of said light and heavy chain immunoglobulins.
 64. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 37, 55 or 63, wherein the host cell is selected from the group consisting of a bacterial, a yeast and a mammalian cell.
 65. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 64, wherein the cell is a mammalian cell.
 66. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 65, wherein the mammalian cell is selected from the group consisting of a lymphocytic cell line, CHO, and COS cells.
 67. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 65, wherein the mammalian cell is a CHO cell.
 68. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 67, wherein the CHO cell is a DHFR deficient CHO cell.
 69. An antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof comprising a human IgG1 heavy chain constant region of SEQ ID NO:10, or a portion thereof, and a humanized 1D9 heavy chain variable region.
 70. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 69, further comprising a human light chain constant region.
 71. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 70, wherein the human light chain constant region is a kappa light chain constant region.
 72. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 69, further comprising a humanized 1D9 light chain variable region.
 73. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 72, further comprising a human light chain constant region.
 74. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 73, wherein the human light chain constant region is a kappa light chain constant region.
 75. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 69, wherein the heavy chain constant region comprises the heavy chain constant region encoded by a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:9.
 76. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 74, wherein the light chain constant region is the light chain constant region of SEQ ID NO:12, or a portion thereof.
 77. The antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of claim 76, wherein the light chain constant region comprises the light chain constant region encoded by a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:11.
 78. An antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof, wherein the constant region is: i) a heavy chain constant region sequence of SEQ ID NO:10, or portion thereof; and ii) a light chain constant region sequence of SEQ ID NO:12, or a portion thereof; and wherein the variable region is: a) a humanized 1D9 heavy chain variable region; and b) a humanized 1D9 light chain variable region. 